Striking 'The Crown' Season 5 Cast Photos Compared to the Real-Life Royals

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Season 5 of The Crown follows the British royal family throughout the 1990s, bringing them into the 21st century.

As per The Crown's tradition, there is a brand new cast to bring the British royal family to life, with BAFTA-winner and Oscar-nominee Imelda Staunton taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Season 3 and 4's Olivia Colman, who replaced Season 1 and 2's Claire Foy.

Staunton is joined by Jonathan Pryce, who plays her husband, Prince Philip, replacing Tobias Menzies. Dominic West portrays an older Prince Charles taking over the role from Josh O'Connor and Elizabeth Debicki plays Princess Diana, taking the reins from Emma Corrin.

Below Newsweek takes a look at the Season 5 cast photos compared to the real-life royals.

'The Crown' Season 5 Cast Photos Compared to the Real-Life Royals

Queen Elizabeth II—Imelda Staunton

BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated actress Imelda Staunton stars as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown Season 5 and will also reprise the role for Season 6.

Fans will most likely recognize Staunton from her role as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films and Vera Drake in the film Vera, as well as roles in The Girl, A Confession, and Downton Abbey.

Queen Elizabeth II "Annus Horribilis" Speech 1992
In this combined image Imelda Staunton, left, stars as Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown" and Queen Elizabeth II, right, delivers her "annus horribilis" speech at London's Guildhall on November 24, 1992. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

In Season 5, she portrays the Queen in the 1990s when she entered her 60s.

In 1992, in a speech to mark 40 years since her accession to the throne, she referred to the year as her "annus horribilis," stating: "1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure."

Prince Philip—Jonathan Pryce

Prince Philip is portrayed by Jonathan Pyrce in Season 5 of The Crown.

Pryce is best known for his role as Pope Francis in the film The Two Popes, securing his first-ever Oscar nomination.

The Crown fans may also recognize Pryce from his role as Sir Stuart Strange in Taboo and Cardinal Wolsey in Wolf Hall.

In Season 5, Philip develops a close friendship with Penelope Knatchbull, aka Lady Romsey, the wife of his godson.

Jonathan Prye Prince Philip
Jonathan Pryce, left, as Prince Philip in "The Crown." Prince Philip, right, is photographed in Windsor, England. Netflix/Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Princess Margaret—Lesley Manville

Bafta-winner and Oscar-nominee Lesley Manville will portray the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, in the fifth outing of The Crown.

Manville best known for playing Lydia Quigley in Harlots and Cyril Woodcock in Phantom Thread, will be taking on the role from Helena Bonham Carter, who had replaced Vanessa Kirby.

In Season 5, Princess Margaret will have to confront her past after former love, Group Captain Peter Townsend (Timothy Dalton), appears unexpectedly.

Lesley Manville Princess Margaret
Lesley Manville appears in "The Crown," left, and Princess Margaret, right, opens a rehabilitation center in London. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Prince Charles—Dominic West

Dominic West will embody Prince Charles in Season 5 of The Crown on Netflix.

Viewers will most likely recognize West from his role as Jimmy McNulty in The Wire and Noah Solloway in The Affair.

At the end of Season 4, Diana and Charles' marriage was on the rocks, with both sides embroiled in affairs and Season 5 will continue to explore his romance with Camilla Parker-Bowles (Olivia Williams) and the strain on his marriage to Diana.

Prince Charles Played by Dominic West
Prince Charles, left, in Bamenda, Cameroon, during a royal tour on March 22, 1990. Dominic West, right, plays Charles in Season Five of Netflix series "The Crown." DAVID LEVENSON/GETTY IMAGES AND KEITH BERNSTEIN/THE CROWN

Diana, Princess of Wales—Elizabeth Debicki

The Great Gatsby and Tenet star Elizabeth Debicki portrays Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown Season 5.

The new series will see the breakdown of Charles and Diana's marriage and their eventual divorce in 1996. Season 5 of The Crown will also feature her groundbreaking interview with Martin Bashir of the BBC, where she gave the world an insight into her life with Prince Charles and as a member of the royal family.

Princess Diana Compared to Elizabeth Debicki
Princess Diana, left, is seen at Sandringham on Christmas Day, 1993. Elizabeth Debicki, right, plays Diana in Season Five of "The Crown." Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

Princess Anne—Claudia Harrison

Claudia Harrison will take over from Erin Doherty as Princess Anne in The Crown Seasons 5 and 6.

Her older brother's marriage is not the only romance to be falling apart in Season 5, with Anne's divorce from Captain Mark Phillips featuring as well as her marriage to Commander Timothy Laurence (Theo Fraser Steele).

Harrison is best known for playing Annie in the crime drama Murphy's Law and Dr. Aveling in Humans.

 Claudia Harrison and Princess Anne
In this combined image Claudia Harrison plays Princess Anne in "The Crown," left, while Princess Anne herself watches an equestrian event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain on August 4, 1992. Netflix/Getty

Prince William—Senan West

Dominic West's real-life son Senan West will portray Prince William, the eldest son of Prince Charles in The Crown Season 5.

The Crown is 14-year-old Senan West's biggest acting role to date.

William's younger brother, Prince Harry, is played by Will Powell.

Prince William 1995
In this image Senan West, left, portrays Prince William in Netflix's "The Crown," while the real Prince William, right, is pictured on September 6, 1995. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

The Queen Mother—Marcia Warren

Olivier award-winning actress Marcia Warren takes over the role of the Queen Mother from Marion Bailey in Season 5 of The Crown.

In Season 5, the Queen Mother will battle with ill-health and old age, as well as witnessing huge changes within the royal family.

The Crown Season 5 is streaming on Netflix now.

Queen Mother and Marcia Warren, The Crown
The Queen Mother, left, celebrates her 90th birthday in London on 4 August 1990, while Marcia Warren, right, is pictured acting in "The Crown." Getty/Netflix

About the writer

Molli Mitchell is a Senior SEO TV and Film Newsweek Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on culture and entertainment. She has covered the world of Film and TV extensively from true-crime dramas to reality TV and blockbuster movies. Molli joined Newsweek in 2021 from the Daily Express. She is a graduate of The University of Glasgow. Languages: English.

You can get in touch with Molli by emailing m.mitchell@newsweek.com.


Molli Mitchell is a Senior SEO TV and Film Newsweek Reporter based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on ... Read more