The third season of '' The Crown'' follows the life and reign of

Queen Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...

. It consists of ten episodes and was released by Netflix on 17 November 2019.

Olivia Colman Sarah Caroline Sinclair ( Colman; born 30 January 1974), known professionally as Olivia Colman, is an English actress. Known for her comedic and dramatic roles in film and television, she has received various accolades, including an Academy A ...

stars as Elizabeth, along with main cast members Tobias Menzies, Helena Bonham Carter,

Ben Daniels Ben Daniels (born 10 June 1964) is a British actor. Initially a stage actor, Daniels was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor for ''Never the Sinner'' (1991), the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor for ''900 Oneonta'' ( ...

, Jason Watkins, Marion Bailey, Erin Doherty, Jane Lapotaire, Charles Dance, Josh O'Connor, Geraldine Chaplin,

Michael Maloney Michael Maloney (born 19 June 1957) is an English actor. Life and career Born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, Maloney's first television appearance was as Peter Barkworth's teenage son in the 1979 drama series ''Telford's Change''. He made his ...

Emerald Fennell Emerald Lilly Fennell (; born 1 October 1985) is an English actress, filmmaker, and writer. She has received many awards and nominations, including an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and nomination ...

, and Andrew Buchan.

John Lithgow John Arthur Lithgow ( ; born , 1945) is an American actor. Lithgow studied at Harvard University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before becoming known for his work on the stage and screen. He has been the recipient of numerous ...

and Pip Torrens return in cameo appearances.

Premise

''The Crown'' traces the life of

from her wedding in 1947 through to the early 2000s. Season three covers the time period between 1964 and 1977, beginning with

Harold Wilson James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, (11 March 1916 – 24 May 1995) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from October 1964 to June 1970, and again from March 1974 to April 1976. He ...

's election as prime minister and ending with the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II. Events depicted include the unmasking of the Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, Sir

Anthony Blunt Anthony Frederick Blunt (26 September 1907 – 26 March 1983), styled Sir Anthony Blunt KCVO from 1956 to November 1979, was a leading British art historian and Soviet spy. Blunt was professor of art history at the University of London, dire ...

as a Soviet spy, Harold Wilson and Edward Heath's respective terms as prime minister, the Aberfan disaster, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the 1969 Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales, the death of the Duke of Windsor (the Queen’s uncle and the former King Edward VIII), the death and state funeral of Winston Churchill, and Princess Margaret's affair with Roddy Llewellyn that leads to divorce from

Tony Armstrong-Jones Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, (7 March 1930 – 13 January 2017), was a British photographer and filmmaker. He is best known for his portraits of world notables, many of them published in ''Vogue'', '' Vanity Fa ...

. US President Lyndon B. Johnson and Camilla Shand also feature.

Cast

Main

* Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Elizabeth's husband * Helena Bonham Carter as

Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, (Margaret Rose; 21 August 1930 – 9 February 2002) was the younger daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and the younger sister and only sibling of Queen Elizabeth ...

, Elizabeth's younger sister *

Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, (7 March 1930 – 13 January 2017), was a British photographer and filmmaker. He is best known for his portraits of world notables, many of them published in ''Vogue'', '' Vanity Fa ...

, known as Lord Snowdon; Princess Margaret's husband * Jason Watkins as

, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom * Marion Bailey as

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (4 August 1900 – 30 March 2002) was Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 to 6 February 1952 as the wife of King George VI. She was the l ...

King George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death in 1952. He was also the last Emperor of Ind ...

's widow and Elizabeth II's mother * Erin Doherty as Princess Anne, Elizabeth and Philip's second child and only daughter * Charles Dance as

Lord Mountbatten Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (25 June 1900 – 27 August 1979) was a British naval officer, colonial administrator and close relative of the British royal family. Mountbatten, who was of German ...

, Philip's ambitious uncle and brother of Princess Alice of Battenberg * Josh O'Connor as Charles, Prince of Wales, Elizabeth and Philip's eldest child and the heir apparent

Featured

The following actors are credited in the opening titles of up to two episodes: *

Sir Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1 ...

, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom * Clancy Brown as Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States * Jane Lapotaire as Princess Alice, Philip's mother * Mark Lewis Jones as Edward Millward, Prince Charles's Welsh Teacher * Tim McMullan as

Robin Woods Robert Wilmer Woods, (14 February 1914 – 20 October 1997), known as Robin Woods, was an English Anglican bishop. He was the Bishop of Worcester from 1971 to 1982. He previously served as Archdeacon of Sheffield from 1958 to 1962, and as D ...

, Dean of Windsor * Derek Jacobi as

Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor Edward VIII (Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David; 23 June 1894 – 28 May 1972), later known as the Duke of Windsor, was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Empire and Emperor of India from 20 January 19 ...

, formerly King Edward VIII, who abdicated * Geraldine Chaplin as Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, the Duke of Windsor's American wife *

as Edward Heath, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom *

as Camilla Shand, Charles's love interest * Andrew Buchan as Andrew Parker Bowles, Anne's love interest; later Camilla's husband * Harry Treadaway as Roddy Llewellyn, Margaret's lover

Recurring

* David Rintoul as Sir Michael Adeane, Private Secretary to the Queen * Charles Edwards as Sir Martin Charteris, Assistant Private Secretary to the Queen; later Private Secretary to the Queen *

Michael Thomas Michael or Mike Thomas may refer to: Entertainment * Michael M. Thomas (born 1936), American novelist of financial thrillers * Michael Tilson Thomas (born 1944), American conductor, pianist, and composer * Michael Thomas (actor) (1952–2019), Bri ...

as Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Elizabeth's paternal uncle * Penny Downie as Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, Elizabeth's paternal aunt by marriage * Alan Gill as Winkie * Pippa Winslow as Blinkie * Mark Dexter as Tony Benn, Postmaster General; later

Minister of Technology The Ministry of Technology was a department of the government of the United Kingdom, sometimes abbreviated as "MinTech". The Ministry of Technology was established by the incoming government of Harold Wilson in October 1964 as part of Wilson's am ...

* Lorraine Ashbourne as Barbara Castle,

Minister for Overseas Development The minister of state for development and Africa, formerly the minister of state for development and the secretary of state for international development, is a senior minister of the Crown within the Government of the United Kingdom. The off ...

; later

Secretary of State for Transport The Secretary of State for Transport, also referred to as the transport secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with overall responsibility for the policies of the Department for Transport. The incumbent i ...

and

Secretary of State for Employment The Secretary of State for Employment was a position in the Cabinet of the United Kingdom. In 1995 it was merged with Secretary of State for Education to make the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. In 2001 the employment functions w ...

* Aden Gillett as Richard Crossman, Ministry of Housing and Local Government; later Leader of the House of Commons * Sam Phillips as the Queen's

equerry An equerry (; from French ' stable', and related to 'squire') is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually up ...

Sinéad Matthews Sinéad ( , ) is an Irish feminine name. It is derived from the French ''Jeanette'', which is cognate to the English Janet, itself a feminine form of the Hebrew ''Yohannan'', "God forgave/God gratified". In English, ''Sinéad'' is also commonly ...

as Marcia Williams, Harold Wilson's private secretary * David Charles as George Thomas,

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department This article lists past and present Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State serving the Home Secretary of the United Kingdom at the Home Office. Non-permanent and parliamentary under-secretaries, 1782–present *April 1782: Evan Nepean *April 17 ...

; later Secretary of State for Wales * Stuart McQuarrie as

George Thomson George Thomson may refer to: Government and politics * George Thomson (MP for Southwark) (c. 1607–1691), English merchant and Parliamentarian soldier, official and politician * George Thomson, Baron Thomson of Monifieth (1921–2008), Scottish p ...

Minister without portfolio A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister who does not head a particular ministry. The sinecure is particularly common in countries ruled by coalition governments and a cabinet w ...

* Patrick Ryecart as

The Duke of Norfolk Duke of Norfolk is a title in the peerage of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the county of Norfolk. The current duke is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. The duke ...

, Earl Marshal *

Connie M'Gadzah Connie is a given name. It is often a pet form (hypocorism) of Concetta, Constance, Cornelia, or Cornelius. Given name or nickname Women * Connie Achurra, Chilean chef * Connie Binsfeld (1924–2014), American politician * Connie Booth (b ...

Sydney Johnson Sydney Johnson (born April 26, 1974) is an American college basketball coach and the former head coach at Fairfield University for the Fairfield Stags men's basketball team. Previously, Johnson was the head coach at Princeton University from 2 ...

, the Duke of Windsor's valet/footman

Notable guests

* Samuel West as Sir Anthony Blunt, Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures * Angus Wright as Sir Martin Furnival Jones, Director-General of MI5 * Paul Hilton as Michael Straight, American magazine publisher, novelist, patron of the arts, and a confessed spy for the KGB * Teresa Banham as Mary Wilson, wife of Prime Minister Harold Wilson * Anthony Brophy as James Jesus Angleton, chief of

CIA Counterintelligence Counterintelligence Mission Center (CIMC) is the component of the Central Intelligence Agency with primary responsibility for counter-intelligence operations. From 1953 to 1988 it was known as the ''Counterintelligence Staff'' and operated within ...

* Michael Simkins as Sir Patrick Dean, British Ambassador to the United States * Martin McDougall as

W. Marvin Watson William Marvin Watson (June 6, 1924 – November 26, 2017) was an advisor to U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson and was Postmaster General from April 26, 1968, to January 20, 1969. Life and career Watson was born in Oakhurst, Texas. He received a ...

, advisor to US president Lyndon B. Johnson * Suzanne Kopser as Lady Bird Johnson,

First Lady of the United States The first lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is the title held by the hostess of the White House, usually the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never ...

* Pip Torrens as Sir Tommy Lascelles, Private Secretary to King George VI (in flashbacks) * Verity Russell as young Elizabeth * Beau Godson as young Margaret * Richard Harrington as Fred Phillips * Gwyneth Keyworth as Gwen Edwards * Colin Morgan as John Armstrong, a ''

Guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unite ...

'' journalist * Miltos Yerolemou as Chronos * Nigel Whitmey as Marquis Childs, American journalist, syndicated columnist, and author * Colin Stinton as

Lawrence E. Spivak Lawrence may refer to: Education Colleges and universities * Lawrence Technological University, a university in Southfield, Michigan, United States * Lawrence University, a liberal arts university in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States Preparato ...

, American publisher and journalist * Finn Elliot as young Philip * Leonie Benesch as Princess Cecilie, Philip's third sister (in flashback) * John Hollingworth as

Lord Porchester Earl of Carnarvon is a title that has been created three times in British history. The current holder is George Herbert, 8th Earl of Carnarvon. The town and county in Wales to which the title refers are historically spelled ''Caernarfon,'' ...

, nicknamed Porchey, Horse Racing Manager to the Queen * Rupert Vansittart as Cecil Harmsworth King, newspaper publisher * Julian Glover as Cecil Boyd-Rochfort, Irish thoroughbred racehorse trainer * Philippe Smolikowski as

Alec Head Alec Head (31 July 1924 – 22 June 2022) was a French horse trainer and breeder. Biography Head was the owner of Haras du Quesnay, located near Deauville. A descendant of the trainers who founded the English Racing Colony in Chantilly, Oise, He ...

, French horse trainer and breeder * John Finn as Arthur "Bull" Hancock, owner of thoroughbred racehorses at

Claiborne Farm Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred horse breeding operation near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910 by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Stud in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since. ...

* Nia Roberts as Silvia Millward, Edward Millward's wife * David Summer as

Thomas Parry Thomas Parry may refer to: * Thomas Parry (Comptroller of the Household) (c. 1515–1560), serving Queen Elizabeth I of England * Thomas Parry (ambassador) (1541–1616), English MP, ambassador to France and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster * T ...

, Principal of the University College of Wales Aberystwyth * Henry Dimbleby as Richard Dimbleby, BBC broadcaster * Alan David as Ben Bowen Thomas, President of the University College of Wales Aberystwyth * Henry Pettigrew as

Neil Armstrong Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer who became the first person to walk on the Moon in 1969. He was also a naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor. ...

, the Astronaut *

Felix Scott Felix Scott is a British actor who has played the role of Charlie Thomas in the BBC Radio 4 soap ''The Archers'' since 2014.BBC Radio 4 - The Archers -Charlie Thomas, 5 December 2014 He has also appeared in the television series '' Holby City' ...

as Buzz Aldrin, the Astronaut * Andrew-Lee Potts as Michael Collins the Astronaut * Sidney Jackson as Prince Edward, Elizabeth and Philip's youngest child * Marlo Woolley as Prince Andrew, Elizabeth and Philip's second son * Fred Broom as Cliff Michelmore, English television presenter and producer * Daniel Beales as

Patrick Moore Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore (; 4 March 1923 – 9 December 2012) was an English amateur astronomer who attained prominence in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter. Moore was president of the Brit ...

, English amateur astronomer * Kevin Eldon as Priest Michael * Matthew Baldwin as Kenneth Harris, The journalist who conducted

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in conversation with Kenneth Harris ''The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in conversation with Kenneth Harris'' is a 1970 interview with Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor, and his wife Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, by the journalist Kenneth Harris. It was initially broadcast on BBC One in ...

* Togo Igawa as Emperor Hirohito, Emperor of Japan * David Wilmot as Arthur Scargill, president of the Yorkshire branch of the National Union of Mineworkers * Stephen Riddle as Derek Parker Bowles, Andrew Parker Bowles's father * Judith Alexander as Ann Parker Bowles, Andrew Parker Bowles's mother * Robert Benedetti-Hall as Major Bruce Shand, Camilla Shand's father * Nesba Crenshaw as

Rosalind Shand Rosalind Maud Shand (' Cubitt; 11 August 1921 – 14 July 1994) was a British charity worker and aristocrat, daughter of Roland Cubitt, 3rd Baron Ashcombe. She was the wife of army officer Major Bruce Shand and the mother of Queen Camilla. Chil ...

, Camilla Shand's mother * Louis Zegrean as young Edward "Ted" Heath * Richard Walsh as Joe Gormley, president of the National Union of Mineworkers * Jessica De Gouw as Lucy Lindsay-Hogg, girlfriend of Lord Snowdon; later Lucy, Countess of Snowdon * Nancy Carroll as Lady Anne Tennant, lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret and wife of

Colin Tennant Colin Christopher Paget Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner (1 December 1926 – 27 August 2010) was a British aristocracy, British aristocrat. He was the son of Christopher Grey Tennant, 2nd Baron Glenconner, and Pamela Winefred Paget. He was also t ...

* Richard Teverson as

, husband of Lady Anne Tennant * Martin Wimbush as Sir Ronald Bodley Scott, English haematologist and expert on therapy for leukaemia and lymphoma * Dan Skinner as Alastair Burnet, British journalist and broadcaster * Tim Bentinck as Sir John Betjeman, Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom

Episodes

Production

Development

By October 2017, early production had begun on an anticipated third and fourth season, and by the following January, Netflix confirmed the series had been renewed for a third and fourth season.

Casting

The producers recast some roles with older actors every two seasons, as the characters age. In October 2017,

was cast as Queen Elizabeth II for the third and fourth seasons. By January 2018, Helena Bonham Carter and Paul Bettany were in negotiations to portray Princess Margaret and Prince Philip, respectively, for these seasons. However, by the end of the month Bettany was forced to drop out due to the time commitment required. By the end of March 2018, Tobias Menzies was cast as Philip. In early May 2018, Bonham Carter was confirmed to have been cast, alongside Jason Watkins as Prime Minister

. The next month,

was cast as Tony Armstrong-Jones for the third season, along with Erin Doherty as Princess Anne. A month later, Josh O'Connor and Marion Bailey were cast as respectively Prince Charles and the Queen Mother. In October 2018,

was cast as Camilla Shand. In December 2018, Charles Dance was cast as Louis Mountbatten.

Filming

The third season began filming in July 2018.

Music

Release

The third season was released on Netflix worldwide in its entirety on 17 November 2019, and consists of ten episodes.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 90% approval rating for the third season based on 100 reviews, with an average rating of 8.54/10. Its critical consensus reads: "Olivia Colman shines, but as ''The Crown'' marches on in reliably luxurious fashion through time it finds space for the characters around her, providing ample opportunity for the appealing ensemble to gleam, too." On Metacritic, the season holds a score of 84 out of 100 based on 30 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". Writing for '' The Daily Telegraph'', Anita Singh called the series "by far, the best soap opera on television". The '' Los Angeles Times''s

Lorraine Ali Lorraine Ali is an American journalist and pundit who is a member of the George Foster Peabody Awards board of jurors. Based in Los Angeles, California, she is a television critic at the ''Los Angeles Times,'' where she was previously a senior wri ...

praised the attention to historical detail and the performances, particularly from Colman and Bonham Carter. '' The Guardian''s Lucy Mangan praised the "top-notch performances", adding that the season is "so confident and so precision-engineered that you don't notice the defects". Daniel Fienberg for '' The Hollywood Reporter'' judged the cast transition to be a success, adding the series "remains a model for carefully crafted episodic storytelling". There was some criticism of the lack of nuance within the writing. The BBC's Hugh Montgomery found it "increasingly on the nose", with the season "the best yet". Alison Rowat from '' The Herald'' opined some scenes were "over-engineered" and dialogue "too on the nose", but nevertheless that it excels as a political drama. ''Vulture''s Jen Chaney found the writing "a bit heavy-handed" in nevertheless "an absorbing, thoroughly enriching experience". Reviewing for '' Variety'',

Caroline Framke Caroline Framke (born 1988) an American writer and critic and is Chief TV Critic at ''Variety''. Formerly, she was a columnist at Vox and has contributed to ''The Atlantic'', ''The A.V. Club'', ''Flavorwire'', ''Complex'', ''Vulture'', ''Salon'' ...

thought the series does not always succeed in humanising the royal family, but when it does, it is "as compelling a portrait of how power warps individuals, and the world along with them, as exists on TV". Ed Power from '' The Independent'' was less complimentary, praising Colman's performance but finding the series somewhat "colourless".

References

External links