Royal fans, stock up on some popcorn (or scones) because another season of The Crown is coming and even the real-world royals are aware of just how massive it’s going to be.
In September 2022, Buckingham Palace shocked royal fans by issuing a rare statement about the show – or should we say, a warning.
A new teaser trailer has promised season five will focus on the ‘War of the Wales”, when Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage came to a messy end in the 1990s.
With the show set to dramatise many of the real-life events from that time, a senior royal source came out on Sunday to remind people The Crown is “a drama not a documentary”.
But Edith Bowan, who hosts the show’s podcast, says the new season is set to “blow people’s minds” – so what do you need to know before it premieres on November 9, 2022?
Scroll on for everything we know about The Crown season five.
What is the plot of The Crown season five?
While the show’s first season ended in 1955, Crown fans will be taken to the early 1990s with the latest season.
It is set to cover the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, as well as a period of massive upheaval for the monarchy.
It’s set to detail late Queen’s “annus horribilis” of 1992, which saw several of her children’s marriages fall apart and Windsor Castle partially destroyed by fire.
According to Omid Scobie, the season’s plot has not been changed since the late Queen’s death on September 8, 2022 and King Charles’ subsequent ascension.
“The episodes will focus on Prince Charles’ affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, and the treatment of Princess Diana,” he tweeted.
This has caused concern that the show could cause a drop in popularity just months into the new monarch’s reign.
Elizabeth Debicki will portray Princess Diana.
(Image: Netflix)Who is the cast of The Crown season five?
While Olivia Colman’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II received much acclaim, the Academy award winner is being replaced with Imelda Staunton, who you may recognise as Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter series.
Meanwhile, Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce will portray the late Prince Philip, Dominic West will play Prince Charles, and Lesley Manville will play Princess Margaret.
It will be hard to top Emma Corrin’s portrayal of Princess Diana in season four, but Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki is filling her shoes.
As for Charles’ wife Camilla Parker-Bowles, that role has been filled by British star Olivia Williams.
The Queen has been recast as Imelda Staunton, who you may recognise as Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter series.
(Image: Netflix)Diana’s former partner Hasnat Khan is also set to feature in the season and will be portrayed by Pakistani actor Humayun Saeed.
Of course, many fans have been wondering who will star as Charles and Diana’s children, William and Harry.
The eldest boy, and future king, will be portrayed by Senan West, who just so happens to be the real-life son of Dominic West who plays Prince Charles in the show. Timothee Sambor will also play the young royal.
Harry, meanwhile, will be portrayed by Teddy Hawley and Will Powell, with the spare yet to be cast for the following season.
It was announced in September 2023 that two more actors have been cast to play William in season six, Rufus Kampa and Ed McVey, with Meg Ballamy being cast as Kate Middleton.
Dominic West will play Prince Charles in the season, which is set to cover the divorce of him and Princess Diana.
(Image: Netflix)Is this the last season of The Crown?
While the fifth season was originally meant to be the show’s last, showrunner Peter Morgan along with Netflix since confirmed there is to be a sixth and final season.
“As we started to discuss the storylines for series five, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons,” Morgan said.
It’s understood the show’s sixth season will include Princess Diana’s tragic death in 1997.
When will The Crown season five premiere?
The fifth season will be premiering on Netflix on November 9, 2022.
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