Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in ‘The Crown’. ; Diana, The Princess Of Wales Visits The Northwick Park Children’s Centre In Harrow.Photo:Daniel Escale/Netflix ; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
Daniel Escale/Netflix ; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty
The Crownis coming to an end.Season 6will conclude theNetflixoriginal series with a total of 10 episodes released in two parts, covering theBritish royal familybetween 1997 and 2005.A number of major events are expected to play out on the small screen, including the death ofPrincess Diana, the weddings ofPrince CharlestoCamilla Parker BowlesandPrince Edwardto Sophie Rhys-Jones, the early days ofPrince WilliamandKate Middleton’s relationship, royal deaths and more.The cast of the acclaimed series has changed every two seasons since its inception, with new actors stepping into roles to reflect the passage of time. Season 6 features many of the samecast members as season 5, with a few new faces joining the lineup.Netflix had originally intended for thefifth seasonto bethe show’s last, but in 2020, the streaming service announced that it would be extended to season 6. Imelda Staunton will take a final bow as the last actress to play the lateQueen ElizabethonThe Crown.“As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear thatin order to do justiceto the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons,” creatorPeter Morgansaid in a statement at the time.Before diving into the new episodes, here’s a look at how the cast ofThe Crownseason 6 compares to the real-life historical figures they’re portraying.
The Crownis coming to an end.
Season 6will conclude theNetflixoriginal series with a total of 10 episodes released in two parts, covering theBritish royal familybetween 1997 and 2005.
A number of major events are expected to play out on the small screen, including the death ofPrincess Diana, the weddings ofPrince CharlestoCamilla Parker BowlesandPrince Edwardto Sophie Rhys-Jones, the early days ofPrince WilliamandKate Middleton’s relationship, royal deaths and more.
The cast of the acclaimed series has changed every two seasons since its inception, with new actors stepping into roles to reflect the passage of time. Season 6 features many of the samecast members as season 5, with a few new faces joining the lineup.
Netflix had originally intended for thefifth seasonto bethe show’s last, but in 2020, the streaming service announced that it would be extended to season 6. Imelda Staunton will take a final bow as the last actress to play the lateQueen ElizabethonThe Crown.
“As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear thatin order to do justiceto the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons,” creatorPeter Morgansaid in a statement at the time.
Before diving into the new episodes, here’s a look at how the cast ofThe Crownseason 6 compares to the real-life historical figures they’re portraying.
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Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth
Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Queen Elizabeth II at Clarence House before a dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of her Coronation on June 2, 2003.Netflix ; Anwar Hussein/Getty
Netflix ; Anwar Hussein/Getty
Known for her role as Dolores Umbridge in theHarry Potterfilm franchise and Lady Bagshaw inDownton Abbey, Imelda Staunton returns to play Queen Elizabeth in the final season of the historical drama.
Staunton is following in the footsteps ofClaire FoyandOlivia Colman, who previously portrayed the late monarch in the earlier four seasons. She was originally cast in the leading role in 2020, and fans got afirst look at her as the queenthe following year.
“She captured the twinkle amid the dowdiness.She brought great softnessto the stern side of the Queen,” Robert Lacey, the series’ historical consultant, told PEOPLE. “Those were the years of the family issues threatening to derail the family institution. You could say she kept it on the rails.”
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Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana
Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Princess Diana during her visit to a minefield in Angola.Des Willie/Netflix ; JOHN STILLWELL/Getty
Des Willie/Netflix ; JOHN STILLWELL/Getty
Elizabeth Debickireturns to her Emmy-nominated depiction of Princess Diana after taking over the role from Emma Corrin, who portrayed a young Diana in season 4.
Part one of season 6 is set in 1997 and covers the relationship between Diana andDodi Fayed.
“I think I learned things about the degree to which she had an enormous and wicked sense of humor, the difficulties that she was facing, the way that she triumphed through them, the way she used her voice in a way that was sort of very progressive at the time,” she added. “Yeah, I learned a lot.”
03of 18Dominic West as Prince CharlesDominic West as Prince Charles in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Prince Charles At Yalding Organic Gardens In Kent.Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/GettyDominic Westplays Prince Charles (who became King Charles in 2022) in season 6 ofThe Crown. His breakthrough role was in the HBO crime dramaThe Wire, and he is also known for his work in Showtime’sThe Affair.The first part of the latest installment coversthe death of Princess Diana, while the second includesCharles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles.“There were some really heavy scenes this season and a lot of tears for Charles,” West told Tudum. “There are a lot of the scenes of Charles trying to come to terms with [Diana’s death] and breaking the news to his sons, trying to help his sons mourn and having varying degrees of success at that.”
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Dominic West as Prince Charles
Dominic West as Prince Charles in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Prince Charles At Yalding Organic Gardens In Kent.Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Dominic Westplays Prince Charles (who became King Charles in 2022) in season 6 ofThe Crown. His breakthrough role was in the HBO crime dramaThe Wire, and he is also known for his work in Showtime’sThe Affair.
The first part of the latest installment coversthe death of Princess Diana, while the second includesCharles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles.
“There were some really heavy scenes this season and a lot of tears for Charles,” West told Tudum. “There are a lot of the scenes of Charles trying to come to terms with [Diana’s death] and breaking the news to his sons, trying to help his sons mourn and having varying degrees of success at that.”
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Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip
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Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret
Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Princess Margaret Opening The Minnie Kidd House In Clapham.Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Not only did Manville feel comfortable resuming her role of Princess Margaret in season 6, but she was at ease around Staunton, whom she considers an old friend. The two shared the big screen in 2014 and 2019, playing pixies in Disney’sMaleficentfilm franchise before entering the fictional Buckingham Palace.
“Working with her feels like coming home, really. It’s very easy to pretend I’m her sister. We’re both in the same glove. It’s terrific,” she told Tudum.
06of 18Khalid Abdalla as Dodi FayedKhalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed on ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Dodi Fayed poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California.Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/GettyViewers were introduced toKhalid Abdallaas Egyptian filmmaker Dodi Fayed in season 5 and will see the summerromance between Dodi and Dianablossom before their untimely deaths in season 6.Abdalla, whose additional credits includeUnited 93andMoon Knight, says that part of his interest in the role was creator Morgan gave Dodi and his father “equal space to the other characters in the royal family so that they’re given the dignity of a full story.”He told Tudum, “I can tell you from my position as an actor of Egyptian and Arab descent, it’s a huge honor to take on that space because it’s not a space that we get often.”
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Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed
Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed on ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Dodi Fayed poses for a portrait in Los Angeles, California.Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty
Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty
Viewers were introduced toKhalid Abdallaas Egyptian filmmaker Dodi Fayed in season 5 and will see the summerromance between Dodi and Dianablossom before their untimely deaths in season 6.
Abdalla, whose additional credits includeUnited 93andMoon Knight, says that part of his interest in the role was creator Morgan gave Dodi and his father “equal space to the other characters in the royal family so that they’re given the dignity of a full story.”
He told Tudum, “I can tell you from my position as an actor of Egyptian and Arab descent, it’s a huge honor to take on that space because it’s not a space that we get often.”
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Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed
Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Mohammed Al Fayed during Mohammed Al Fayed Welcomes Father Christmas To Harrods at Harrods in London.Justin Downing/Netflix ; Goffredo di Crollalanza/FilmMagic
Justin Downing/Netflix ; Goffredo di Crollalanza/FilmMagic
In addition to the return of Abdalla as Dodi, Salim Daw is reprising his role as Dodi’s father,Mohamed Al-Fayed. Daw’s past work includesFaudaandKiss Me Kosher.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about Mohamed Al Fayed’s passing," he wrote. “A giant, who came from nothing and became everything. For two years I portrayed him on ‘The Crown.’ Such a rare and a distinctive character. I can only hope my portrayal of him did him justice.”
Daw continued, “I feel that I knew him, even though we have never met. It is no coincidence that he passed on my birthday. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”
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Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles
Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Camilla Parker Bowles arrives for her 50th birthday party at Highgrove House.Netflix ; Barry Batchelor - PA Images/PA Images/Getty
Netflix ; Barry Batchelor - PA Images/PA Images/Getty
Williams told Tudum that the on-screen chemistry between Charles and Camilla is natural because she considers West a friend off-screen.
“I do think a sense of humor is at the heart of the triumph of Camilla and Charles’ relationship,” she shared. “And I think it’s probably the secret of the fact that Dominic [West] and I enjoy working together so much. We just laugh at the same things.”
09of 18Ed McVey as Prince WilliamEd McVey as Prince William in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Prince William stands outside Clarence House on August 4, 1998.Netflix ; Anwar Hussein/GettyEd McVeymakes his entrance as Prince William in the second half of season 6. The British actor succeeds Timothée Sambor and Senan West, who played the future king in season 5, along with Rufus Kampa, who portrays a teenage William in part one of the final season.Speaking withCosmopolitanU.K., Ed revealed how he prepped to play the future Prince of Wales. “He’s been documented from birth, so I was able to watch him grow up and really study him. He has a very specific voice,” he told the outlet, adding that he worked with “a movement coach” to get his body language right.As for his work on-screen, Pryce teased to Tudum that he’s looking forward to expanding on the close relationship between Philip and William in season 6. “There’s a kind of handing over from his early mentorship of Diana to become a mentor and a comforter to William,” he said.
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Ed McVey as Prince William
Ed McVey as Prince William in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Prince William stands outside Clarence House on August 4, 1998.Netflix ; Anwar Hussein/Getty
Ed McVeymakes his entrance as Prince William in the second half of season 6. The British actor succeeds Timothée Sambor and Senan West, who played the future king in season 5, along with Rufus Kampa, who portrays a teenage William in part one of the final season.
Speaking withCosmopolitanU.K., Ed revealed how he prepped to play the future Prince of Wales. “He’s been documented from birth, so I was able to watch him grow up and really study him. He has a very specific voice,” he told the outlet, adding that he worked with “a movement coach” to get his body language right.
As for his work on-screen, Pryce teased to Tudum that he’s looking forward to expanding on the close relationship between Philip and William in season 6. “There’s a kind of handing over from his early mentorship of Diana to become a mentor and a comforter to William,” he said.
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Luther Ford as Prince Harry
Luther Ford attends the Los Angeles premiere of Netflix’s “The Crown” Season 6. ; Prince Harry attends the wedding of Ed Van Cutsem and Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral on November 6, 2004.Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic ; Anwar Hussein/Getty
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic ; Anwar Hussein/Getty
Ford studied directing at Arts University Bournemouth and has produced several shorts,Deadlinereported.The Crownmarks his professional television debut.
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Meg Bellamy as Kate Middleton
Meg Bellamyplays a college-aged Kate Middleton in season 6 ofThe Crown, who meets, and later falls in love with, Prince William at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
The actress saw a casting call on social media and auditioned with directors after submitting self-taped videos, according toDeadline, which was the first to report the news last year.
Bellamy confirmed the origin of her role in an interview withThe Telegraph. She decided to pursue the role after a neighbor encouraged her, saying she looked like Kate. The actress also revealed she grew up acting and singing in England, and though she only watched season 1 ofThe Crown, she instantly connected with her character.
12of 18Matilda Broadbridge as Pippa MiddletonMatilda Broadbridge attends a VIP cocktail event celebrating the opening of Sezane’s largest Flagship store on November 1, 2023. ; Pippa Middleton attends the Azzaro store launch, at Azzaro on February 24, 2009.Dave Benett/Getty ; Dave M. Benett/GettyAnother newcomer in the cast isMatilda Broadbridge, playing the role of Kate’s younger sister,Pippa Middleton.Sharing a photo of herself outside a trailer with Pippa’s name on it, Broadbridgewrote on Instagram, “So grateful to have been a tiny part of this production and for this experience, keep your eyes peeled.”
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Matilda Broadbridge as Pippa Middleton
Matilda Broadbridge attends a VIP cocktail event celebrating the opening of Sezane’s largest Flagship store on November 1, 2023. ; Pippa Middleton attends the Azzaro store launch, at Azzaro on February 24, 2009.Dave Benett/Getty ; Dave M. Benett/Getty
Dave Benett/Getty ; Dave M. Benett/Getty
Another newcomer in the cast isMatilda Broadbridge, playing the role of Kate’s younger sister,Pippa Middleton.
Sharing a photo of herself outside a trailer with Pippa’s name on it, Broadbridgewrote on Instagram, “So grateful to have been a tiny part of this production and for this experience, keep your eyes peeled.”
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Marcia Warren as the Queen Mother
Marcia Warren as the Queen Mother in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; The Queen Mother At Cheltenham For The Grand Military Gold Cup.Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
The Queen Mother died “peacefully in her sleep” on March 30, 2002, at age 101, in Windsor — less than two months after the death of Princess Margaret, on February 9, at age 71. It is speculated that both of their deaths will be a storyline in the second part of season 6.
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Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne
Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne in ‘The Crown’. ; Princess Anne during The Calor Gas British Horse Trials Championships.Keith Bernstein/Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Harrison was one of thousands who queued at Westminster Hall topay respects to the late monarchafter her death in September 2022, but her perspective was more unique than most in line.
“You don’t know how you’re going to feel. You feel one thing, being a British citizen and this lady’s been part of the fabric of your country for as long as all of us remember,” she toldTown & Country.
The actress continued, “And then of course, we’ve spent the last two years playing her family. We’re watching these people on television. You just can’t help feeling that you think how they might be feeling.”
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Theo Fraser Steele as Timothy Laurence
Theo Fraser Steele as timothy Laurence on set of ‘The Crown’. ; Timothy Laurence in Uzbekistan on July 17, 1993.SplashNews.com ; Chip HIRES/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
SplashNews.com ; Chip HIRES/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
Viewers saw the equerry fall in love with Princess Anne inThe Crown’s season 5. Laurence and Princess Anne first met in 1986 and married in 1992, a few months after her divorce from Mark Phillips was finalized.
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James Murray as Prince Andrew
David M. Benett/Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage ; John Stillwell - PA Images/PA Images/Getty
Best known for his role as Liam Carney in BBC’sCutting It, James Murray is returning asPrince Andrewin season 6.
Actor Marlo Woolley originated the character in season 3, and Tom Byrne made him more visible in season 4; Murray gives a further glimpse at Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip’s third child in season 5. He was brought up in dialogue regarding his separation and divorce fromSarah Ferguson, which will further play out in the new season 6 episodes.
17of 18Sam Woolf as Prince EdwardSam Woolf as Prince Edward in ‘The Crown’. ; Prince Edward At St. James’s Palace on the day of his engagement..Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/GettySam Woolf returns as the youngest of Elizabeth and Philip’s four children, Prince Edward. He is also known for his roles inC.B. StrikeandHumans.
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Sam Woolf as Prince Edward
Sam Woolf as Prince Edward in ‘The Crown’. ; Prince Edward At St. James’s Palace on the day of his engagement..Netflix ; Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty
Sam Woolf returns as the youngest of Elizabeth and Philip’s four children, Prince Edward. He is also known for his roles inC.B. StrikeandHumans.
18of 18Bertie Carvel as Tony BlairBertie Carvel as Tony Blair in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Tony Blair attends the unveiling of the national police memorial.Netflix ; Mike Marsland/WireImageBertie Carvel joined the cast ofThe Crownin the final episode of season 5 asTony Blair, who served as prime minister from 1997 until 2007. His film and television credits includeLes Misérables,Doctor Who,Sherlockand the title role inDalgliesh.Carvel was nominated for aTony Awardfor best actor in a leading role in a musical for his work as Miss Trunchbull inMatilda the Musical, and won the Tony Award for best actor in a featured role in a play after his performance as Rupert Murdoch inInk.
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Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair
Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair in ‘The Crown’ Season 6. ; Tony Blair attends the unveiling of the national police memorial.Netflix ; Mike Marsland/WireImage
Netflix ; Mike Marsland/WireImage
Bertie Carvel joined the cast ofThe Crownin the final episode of season 5 asTony Blair, who served as prime minister from 1997 until 2007. His film and television credits includeLes Misérables,Doctor Who,Sherlockand the title role inDalgliesh.
Carvel was nominated for aTony Awardfor best actor in a leading role in a musical for his work as Miss Trunchbull inMatilda the Musical, and won the Tony Award for best actor in a featured role in a play after his performance as Rupert Murdoch inInk.
source: people.com
