Lesley Manville Will Play Princess Margaret in the Final Seasons of 'The Crown'

The Crown has cast its third and final Princess Margaret.

In July 2020, Netflix confirmed that Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, World on Fire) would star in the show's final two seasons, taking over the role from Helena Bonham Carter (who in turn, took it over from Vanessa Kirby). The streaming giant shared the announcement on Twitter in a post that included a quote from Manville.

"I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret. The baton is being passed 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," she said.

Here, she's referring to the news that Imelda Staunton (of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey fame) will play Queen Elizabeth in the show's final chapters.

"I have loved watching The Crown from the very start," Staunton said when her involvement in the show was confirmed back in January, per the Hollywood Reporter.

"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," she continued. "I am genuinely honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion."

Manville has been busy in recent months. She's set to appear in the upcoming Magpie Murders, which will premiere in October 2022 in the States on Masterpiece PBS. She also starred in the recent film, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. In that project, she said the titular role came naturally to her—as opposed to playing Princess Margaret.

"Well, it's only because I'm a working-class girl from Brighton, so the territory of Mrs Harris is kind of in my bones whereas [Princess Margaret is] the other end of the social scale," she said, "and let's face it, you couldn't get more aristocratic than the royal family."

"It is obviously not something that comes like that to me," she continued. "But listen, that's what gets me up in the morning. I never want to play the same characters, so that chameleon range of parts that I'm offered suits me fine. I'm very grateful."

Peter Morgan's decision to completely recast the show every few seasons has become a hallmark of his show about the British monarchy, and we're set to see the new cast in just a few weeks' time.

Season five will drop on Netflix on November 9.

You Might Also Like

• 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion

• The Best Alcohol Subscription Boxes That Deliver Drinks to Your Door

• Beauty Gurus Share Their Makeup Secrets for Older Women