We've Got Hollywood Covered
|

‘The Crown’ Casts Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret for Fifth and Final Season

She will take over the role from Helena Bonham Carter, who is portraying the royal on Seasons 3 and 4

| July 2, 2020 @ 6:05 AM
Lesley Manville

Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

Lesley Manville has been cast as Princess Margaret for the Imelda Staunton-led fifth and final season of “The Crown,” Netflix revealed Thursday.

The Oscar-nominated actress will be taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth II’s sister from Helena Bonham Carter, who is portraying the royal on Seasons 3 and 4. Bonham Carter replaced Vanessa Kirby, the actress who played Princess Margaret for “The Crown’s” first two seasons.

Manville is the second star to join the final installment of “The Crown,” with Staunton’s casting as Queen Elizabeth II — a part played by Olivia Colman for Seasons 3 and 4 and Claire Foy for Seasons 1 and 2 — having been announced in January, when Netflix revealed the Peter Morgan-created drama’s fifth season would be its last. At the time, Morgan explained his decision to bring “The Crown” to an earlier end than he had originally anticipated.

Also Read: 'The Crown': Imelda Staunton to Play Queen Elizabeth on Fifth and Final Season

“At the outset I had imagined ‘The Crown’ running for six seasons but now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop,” Morgan said. “I’m grateful to Netflix and Sony for supporting me in this decision.”

“I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret,” Manville said in a statement Thursday. “The baton is being pass on from two formidable actresses and I really don’t want to let the side down. Furthermore, to play siblings with my dear friend Imelda Staunton will be nothing short of a complete joy.”

Manville was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film “Phantom Thread.” She is well known to U.K. audiences for both her theater and TV work. Her recent television credits include BBC Two’s “Mum” and Hulu’s “Harlots.”

Also Read: Summer TV 2020: Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows (Photos)

The upcoming fourth season of “The Crown,” which is expected to debut later this year, will cover Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family during the Princess Diana era. Season 3 of “The Crown,” which launched last November, left off in 1977 at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.

Summer TV 2020: Premiere Dates for New and Returning Shows (Photos)

  • summer tv premiere dates The CW/HBO Max/Netflix/TNT
  • The Chi Showtime
  • Perry Mason HBO HBO
  • Yellowstone Paramount Network
  • NOS4a2 zachary quinto AMC
  • 90 Day Fiance B90 Strikes Back TLC
  • Greenleaf OWN
  • Celebrity Show Off TBS
  • DC Universe/HBO Max
  • Search Party Season 3 HBO Max
  • Twilight Zone Season 2 CBS All Access
  • Dark Netflix
  • Don Cheadle in Black Monday Showtime
  • I'll Be Gone in the Dark HBO
  • Unsolved Mysteries Netflix
  • Marriage Boot Camp We TV
  • The Family Business BET+
  • THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB Netflix
  • Hanna Amazon Prime Video
  • Outcry Showtime
  • Stateless Netflix
  • Tough as Nails CBS
  • Close Enough HBO Max
  • Expecting Amy HBO Max
  • Cannonball - Season 1 USA
  • USA
  • Greatness Code Apple TV+
  • Little Voice Apple TV+
  • P-Valley Starz
  • Brave New World - Piilot Peacock
  • The Capture - Season 1 Peacock
  • In Deep with Ryan Lochte Peacock
  • Intelligence - Season 1 Peacock
  • Married at First Sight Lifetime
  • United We Fall ABC
  • Netflix
  • KILLER CAMP The CW
  • Cursed Netflix
  • absentia stana katic Amazon Prime Video
  • The Alienist Angel of Darkness TNT
  • Love on the Spectrum Netflix
  • Corporate Comedy Central
  • Room 104 HBO
  • wynonna earp kat barrell Syfy
  • Helter Skelter Epix
  • Last Chance U Netflix
  • The Dog House HBO Max
  • Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy Netflix
  • Frayed HBO Max
  • Muppets Now Disney+
  • The Umbrella Academy Netflix
  • The Real Housewives of Potomac - Season 4 Bravo
  • Taskmaster The CW
  • Fridge Wars The CW
  • Quibi
  • Catfish MTV
  • Coroner The CW
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks CBS All Access
  • Selling Sunset Netflix
  • jeffrey epstein
  • Mapleworth Murders Quibi
  • Jameis WinstonTampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Hard Knocks HBO
  • Ted Lasso Apple TV+
  • Eco-Challenge Amazon Prime Video
  • Lovecraft Country HBO
  • Dead Pixels The CW
  • lucifer Netflix
  • Ravi Patel's Pursuit of Happiness HBO Max
  • Love Fraud Showtime
  • A.P. Bio - Season 2 NBCUniversal
  • Away Hilary Swank Netflix
  • The Boys Antony Starr Homelander Amazon Season 2 Trailer Amazon Prime Video
  • Hulu
1 of 76

Here’s when 75 broadcast, cable and streaming series debut and come back

Summer is in full swing, and everyone is staying at home as much as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Luckily, dozens of new and returning shows are premiering this summer. The list includes some big titles like "The Twilight Zone" and "The Umbrella Academy," plus original shows for new streaming services HBO Max and Peacock.

Also Read: Fall TV 2020: Every Broadcast Show Canceled, Renewed and Ordered – So Far (Updating)

View In Gallery

LIKE US