'The Crown' Season 5 Will Have a New Princess Diana and Here's Who Will Play Her

From The Pioneer Woman

There's a new princess in the palace!

The Crown's Emma Corrin dazzled us all with her intimate performance as Princess Diana during her early years in the royal family. But in keeping with The Crown tradition, a new actress will slip into the Cambridge Lover's Knot Tiara for seasons 5 and 6. Yes, you read that right, there will be a season 6 after all!

But she's not the only historical figure who will be played by a new actor. Find out who's taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the cast, as well as other info about The Crown season 5. (Including when we can expect it to premiere!)

What will "The Crown" season 5 be about?

We all know there's enough present-day royals drama to fill several seasons, but unfortunately it looks like The Crown won't be covering anything current. After flip-flopping over whether there would be five or six seasons, The Crown creator and showrunner Peter Morgan finally settled on six but clarified that "season six will not bring us any closer to present day—it will simply enable us to cover the same period in greater detail."

Beyond this, we don't know much yet about what seasons 5 and 6 will include. But Deadline reported that the The Crown's storyline will end in the early 2000s, which would technically include Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997.

Who will play Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the cast?

Imelda Staunton will boldly go where Claire Foy and Olivia Coleman went before. The Oscar-nominated actress, who's known for her roles in the Harry Potter franchise and the Downton Abbey film, has been tapped to star in seasons 5 and 6. She'll bring The Crown's story of Queen Elizabeth to its conclusion.

"As an actor it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan’s scripts," Imelda said. "I am genuinely honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team."

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, Tenet) will take over for Emma Corrin as Princess Diana. She already looks and dresses like a princess, doesn't she?! No wonder she got this part.

“It’s a dream role. She is such a remarkable human being and she really does still live in the hearts of so many people,” Elizabeth told the Mirror. "I’m overwhelmed, I’m terrified, and I’m excited. I can’t wait to start."

In October, The Hollywood Reporter said that Dominic West (The Wire, The Affair) was in final talks to play Prince Charles in seasons 5 and 6, but that news hasn't been officially confirmed.

As for the rest of the cast, the Oscar-nominated actress Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, Maleficent) will play Princess Margaret in seasons 5 and 6, taking over the role previously mastered by Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Kirby.

Jonathan Pryce, the Oscar-nominated actor known for his roles in The Two Popes and The Wife, will be the new Prince Philip in seasons 5 and 6. The role was previously held by Tobias Menzies (seasons 3 and 4) and Matt Smith (seasons 1 and 2).

When will "The Crown" come back?

Now for some royal pain. Sadly, we've still got a while to wait for new episodes of The Crown. According to Deadline, season 5 won't premiere until 2022, with production starting in June 2021.

Is there a season 6?

Yes! Like we said, The Crown is officially returning for a sixth and final season. Filming for this season won't start until 2022, which means a 2023 premiere is likely.

In the meantime, you can curl up with a cup of tea and old episodes of The Crown, or check out these 20 similar shows that should be next on your list!