Netflix’s royal drama The Crown enjoys a huge following across the globe. The series, whose fourth season hit our screen earlier this month, charts the life of Britain’s royal family with Queen Elizabeth II as the central character. Such is the popularity of the show that the makers annoucned a fifth season even before season four was released.
While season five is expected to arrive on Netflix only in 2022, it was the choice of cast that sparked a discussion among the fans. After Claire Foy and Olivia Colman (pictured above), Imelda Staunton is set to step into the queen’s shoes for the upcoming season. The 64-year-old actress is best known for playing Dolores Umbridge, a passionately despised character from the Harry Potter franchise.
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
Umbridge first appears in the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, when she is appointed the defence against the dark arts teacher at Hogwarts. She goes on to become immensely unpopular among students and fellow professors alike, after she attempts to impose rigid restrictions and uses torture as a method of punishment on the students. Incidentally, Staunton isn’t the first Harry Potter villain to be a part of The Crown. Helena Bonham Carter, who played the frightful Bellatrix Lestrange in the series, plays queen’s sister Princess Margaret in the third and fourth seasons.
Imelda Staunton isn’t the only new face in the cast. Veteran actress Lesley Manville will take over from Bonham Carter as Margaret, while Elizabeth Debicki will replace Emma Corrin as Princess Diana. Jonathan Pryce, who was seen in Game of Thrones as The High Sparrow, will essay the role of Prince Philip.
Staunton’s casting as the queen resulted in some interesting reactions from the fans…
Omg i just heard Imelda Staunton is playing the Queen in the crown’s final 2 seasons … great actress but omg I honestly think it might ruin it for me. Her face will always remind me of the horrid Umbridge character and idk of I’ll shake it LOL 😣
— Abby T (@abbyt133) November 23, 2020
Considering how this season of The Crown ended, it’s totally fitting that Umbridge will play the Queen next season. pic.twitter.com/bA6w8iGNhz
— Code Word Rochambeau (@Yotesgurl) November 23, 2020
Seriously disappointed that The Crown’s last Queen will be DOLORES JANE UMBRIDGE. That woman will never be recognized as any other character 😅😅
— em. (@emroones) November 17, 2020
I’m entirely late on this news but I just found out UMBRIDGE will be playing the Queen next on The Crown and I- pic.twitter.com/EOQaIT9aU6
— Johanna. (@_johannamama) November 18, 2020
So, it will be Megan Markle v. Queen Dolores Umbridge. Not going to lie…this will be fantastic. pic.twitter.com/QRAqkjIxfd
— Finch (@finch960) January 31, 2020
Lol, Umbridge just already drink polyjuice to became a Queen Elizabeth II jk 😅 pic.twitter.com/aho6jbAzqf
— 윈터🌬 (@egiviats) October 17, 2020
As much as I (and the rest of the world) hate Dolores Umbridge, Imelda Staunton is AMAZING and i can’t wait to see her play Queen Lizzie!! pic.twitter.com/vBJ3N6QgVg
— Irene (@Katerine_Swann) January 31, 2020
First Umbridge shows up on Downton Abbey, and now The Crown pic.twitter.com/hfRRHPYnzj
— Jenn (@jadair4) January 31, 2020
Finally Umbridge will rule. pic.twitter.com/XB9bKnOLYj
— Rajarshi|राजर्षी|রাজর্ষী (@iRajarshiSikdar) January 31, 2020
Hi, I might need therapy before S5 so I can watch it without Umbridge on my head haha 😂 No, but really, I think she will be amazing! pic.twitter.com/GyUfaKM5rh
— krissia | kriss (@kriiissia) January 31, 2020
You telling me that Umbridge will be Lilybeth? Listen yall better be right on this one… crown is one of my absolute favourite series and you shall not ruin it with the villain of HP. https://t.co/XssH8RZHWU
— Wonder Aka (@wonder_aka) August 13, 2020
Now Umbridge has taken down the whole britain and northern Ireland https://t.co/1RBDpYWRAh
— 𓇋𓏏𓈖𓇳𓅜𓐍𓈖 (@Avardhanararis) June 18, 2020
Having Dolores Umbridge become the queen is a little bit too appropriate for 2020.
(She’ll be awesome, though, in seriousness.) https://t.co/dvBK0swlrQ
— Molly Ringle 📚 (@mollyringle) May 4, 2020
