The Crown Casts Their Final Queen Elizabeth And Will End After Five Seasons - 'This Is The Perfect Time And Place To Stop'

Source: Twitter

The Crown creator Peter Morgan has revealed that his hit Netflix drama about the British royal family will end after the fifth season. The show has also announced that they have cast Imelda Staunton as the final Queen Elizabeth for Season 5 after Clair Foy starred in the role during Seasons 1 and 2, and Olivia Colman took over for Seasons 3 and 4.

The news that The Crown will wrap up after just five seasons will be a surprise for many fans, as Morgan had originally talked about his vision for a six-season run. However, after working on the stories for Season 5, Morgan said it’s become clear that “this is the perfect time and place to stop.”

Many congratulations to the cast of Season 3. Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. #SAGAwardspic.twitter.com/9LBx71XBRK

— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) January 20, 2020

Morgan says he is grateful to both Sony and Netflix for supporting him in this decision.

Fans who were hoping for a story line about the Prince Andrew scandal with Jeffrey Epstein and the Megxit controversy with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be disappointed. But, Morgan says he never intended to bring the story of The Crown into the present day.

Executive producer Suzanne Mackie told the Press Association earlier this month that she doubted they would ever go that far, and Morgan told Entertainment Weekly in 2018 that the show wouldn’t feature Meghan Markle because “it’s too close to the moment.”

“I feel uncomfortable writing about events within a certain time period,” explained Morgan. “Let’s wait twenty years and see what there is to say about Meghan Markle.”

He said at the time that Markle wouldn’t become interesting until the world has had 20 years to digest who she is and what her impact has been. Morgan noted that if he were to write about Markle now, he would automatically be writing journalistically, and he’s “got nothing to say about Meghan Markle.”

Imelda Staunton will play Queen Elizabeth II in the fifth and final season of The Crown. pic.twitter.com/hUOob58A9p

— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) January 31, 2020

As for their final Queen Elizabeth, the role goes to film and theater actress Imelda Staunton, who is widely known for playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film franchise.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to confirm Imelda Staunton as Her Majesty The Queen for the fifth and final season, taking The Crown into the 21st Century,” Morgan said. “Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.”

Staunton says that she has loved watching The Crown from the very start. And, as an actor, it has been a joy to watch Claire Foy and Olivia Colman bring something special to Morgan’s scripts. Staunton added that she is honored to be joining an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.

Seasons 1 through 3 of The Crown are currently streaming on Netflix.