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Gillian Anderson on playing Margaret Thatcher in The Crown season 4

Photo credit: netflix
Photo credit: netflix

From Cosmopolitan

Netflix is responsible for some absolutely brilliant TV, and count the likes of The Sinner, Sex Education and The Politician as original content. But if there's one show that has received both critical and fan-shaped acclaim, its The Crown. And finally, after months of speculation, Netflix has not only given us a very exciting trailer for season 4 but we also have an official release date. All this joy in one announcement is basically overwhelming.

We've already seen two totally different casts - including Claire Foy and Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth. But season four, the next one, is seemingly where things get really juicy, with the introduction of Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.

Here's everything else you need to know about the upcoming fourth season of The Crown, from the cast to the potential storylines - and when we can expect it to drop on the streaming service.


Do we have a trailer for The Crown season 4?

Yes! The first trailer (above) dropped at the beginning of October, before Netflix followed it up with a second teaser all about Charles and Diana's relationship:

At the end of October, they also dropped a trailer showing the relationship between Margaret Thatcher and The Queen:

Do we have any preview pics for The Crown season 4?

We certainly do! Netflix shared your first look at Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher on 29 September, six weeks before the full series drops on Netflix. And it's safe to say we are SO excited to see Emma Corrin take on the role of the Princess, while Gillian Anderson will embody the Prime Minister.

Emma herself has given fans another sneak peak, sharing two pictures on her own Instagram account of herself dressed in Diana's infamous wedding dress - and she looks exactly like the royal.

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tick tock tick tock 15.11.20

A post shared by Emma Corrin (@emmalouisecorrin) on Oct 3, 2020 at 12:09pm PDT

Who will star in The Crown season 4?

The Crown has always followed the same pattern when it comes to the cast, with each ensemble slated to star in two seasons. Which means season 4 stars all the same actors as season 3 - as well as some new faces.

Olivia Colman will continue as Queen Elizabeth II, Call the Midwife's Emerald Fennell stars as Camilla Parker-Bowles, while Josh O'Connor continues as Prince Charles. Erin plays Princess Anne, Marion Bailey plays the Queen Mother, Tobias Menzies continues as Prince Philip, and Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret. As for the new roles?

Princess Diana

Netflix officially announced on 10 April 2019 that newcomer Emma Corrin will take on the role of Diana, Princess of Wales, in The Crown season 4.

The actress released a statement confirming the news, writing,

"Beyond excited and honoured to be joining The Crown for its fourth season. I have been glued to the show since the first episode and to think I’m now joining this incredibly talented acting family is just surreal. Princess Diana was an icon, and her effect on the world remains profound and inspiring. To be given the chance to explore her through Peter Morgan's writing is the most exceptional opportunity, and I will strive to do her justice!"

Photo credit: Splash News
Photo credit: Splash News

Writer Peter Morgan added, "Emma is a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer. As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation."

Margaret Thatcher


Sex Education actress Gillian Anderson will play Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in season 4 of The Crown, which will cover her 11-years in charge. The actor recently spoke to Harper's Bazaar about the role, admitting she had to ignore her own views about Thatcher. "I had to get to a point where it's nothing to do with my opinions of her policies, of her actions. It is only about her as a human being and her motivation as a politician and as a mother." In the same interview, she also opened up about what it was like working with her partner ~ The Crown creator and writer Peter Morgan~ on the series.

She added, "For [my and Peter's] own sanity, and actually for the benefit of the relationship, we had very clear boundaries: 'I am not going to comment on the script, but you are not allowed to comment on the performance!'"

Recently, Olivia Colman spoke about the pressure that comes with playing Queen Elizabeth on the show, saying that she worries the Queen herself might not like her performance. During an interview with The Mirror Colman said it was "definitely more daunting to play someone who everyone knows."

"There is much more pressure when you’re playing someone who is still living, and you have this fear that they’re watching it and won’t like it," Colman continued. "You’re thinking, 'Oh my God, what if Queen Elizabeth II ­watches the series and sees me? Perhaps she will think that my interpretation is completely wrong. She’s going to change channels.'"

What will happen in The Crown season 4?

  • The fourth season should take us from 1977 up to about 1990. Showrunner Peter Morgan confirmed to People that Princess Diana will be a main character in Seasons four and five.

  • The Sunday Times say season 4 will cover Margaret Thatcher's 11-years in charge, which stemmed from 1979 to 1990. Their report also claims the series will cover "her occasionally tumultuous relationship with the Queen. Episodes will feature their supposed disagreements over sanctions on apartheid South Africa, the monarch’s concern at the divisions provoked by the 1984-5 miners’ strike and the 1982 Falklands War."

  • The Crown season four could also cover the 1981 Trooping of the Colour incident, where six shots were fired at the Queen.

  • It could also include the Buckingham House intruder, Michael Fagan, who made it into the Queen’s bedroom due to a security lapse.

When will The Crown season 4 air?

After months of speculation Netflix has announced that The Crown S4 will air on 15th November. So soon!

Watch The Crown on Netflix

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