WEDNESDAY CELEBS

Q: I was so excited to read in your column that Helena Bonham Carter will be joining “The Crown” for seasons three and four. Do you have any more casting news? – Katie F., via

email A: As you know, we have our new Queen Elizabeth, Olivia Colman, and our new Princess Margaret, Helena Bonham Carter. Now get ready for your new Prince Philip: “Outlander” and “Game of Thrones” star Tobias Menzies. As I wrote previously, the roles are being recast because the characters themselves are aging, and producers wanted slightly older actors instead of relying on prosthetics, age makeup and the like. I am a fan of this decision because that kind of stuff often takes me out of the story. I’m also excited to see what this new crop of actors will bring to their roles.

And don’t feel bad for the original actors. They knew going into the project that they would be recast after season two, and they all agreed with the logic of the decision. For season three, we’ll catch up with the Royal Family in the ‘70s. We’ll also get to meet Camilla Parker Bowles, who, as you know, dated Prince Charles before he was betrothed to Princess Diana. Early word has it that producers are on the hunt for Diana and Margaret Thatcher, both of whom will be heavily featured in season four (not season three, as previously speculated).

According to the BBC, filming won’t begin until this summer, with season three premiering sometime in 2019. But don’t despair: Seasons three and four will be filmed back to back, so there won’t be quite as long a wait after the third installment. Email Cindy at King Features Weekly Service at letters@cindyelavsky.com.

©2018 King Features Synd., Inc.