16 Key Insights into The Crown Season 3

Over 20 months have passed since the second season of The Crown premiered on Netflix (that’s 613 days for those meticulously counting). Amidst real-life royal events—such as the arrival of Prince Louis, the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, and the birth of Archie Mountbatten-Windsor—the most anticipated royal affair remains the return of The Crown. At long last, the premiere date for season 3 has been revealed.

Since its debut on November 4, 2016, the Netflix series—which clinched the 2017 Golden Globe for Best Drama and multiple Emmys (including one for Claire Foy as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series)—has solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon. Crafted by two-time Oscar nominee Peter Morgan, the show chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and the intricate dynamics of the royal family.

With the first two seasons likely devoured by now, anticipation builds for season 3. Here’s a comprehensive look at everything we’ve uncovered about the upcoming season of The Crown.

1. The highly anticipated third season of The Crown is set to debut on November 17, 2019.

Following an almost two-year wait, Netflix unveiled a gripping teaser for The Crown’s third season on Monday, August 12th, revealing the premiere date—November 17th—and offering a brief look at the new portrayal of the Queen.

2. Olivia Colman steps into the role of Queen Elizabeth II.

From the outset, creator Peter Morgan emphasized that each season of The Crown would span approximately a decade, with the cast being refreshed for season three and once more for season five to better reflect the passage of time. In October 2017, it was confirmed that Olivia Colman—recently honored with a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in The Favourite—would assume the role of Queen Elizabeth II.

While American viewers may recognize her from Broadchurch and The Night Manager (the latter earning her a Golden Globe in 2017), Colman has ample experience portraying royalty. Beyond her acclaimed performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite, she also embodied Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon—wife of King George VI and mother to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret—in Hyde Park on Hudson (2012).

3. Tobias Menzies steps into the role of Prince Philip.

With roles in Outlander, The Terror, and Game of Thrones, Tobias Menzies has been in high demand. In March 2017, it was revealed that he would succeed Matt Smith as Prince Philip for the upcoming seasons of The Crown. Smith himself praised the decision, calling Menzies "the perfect casting" in an interview with the Observer: "He’s a brilliant actor. We worked together on The History Boys, and I can’t wait to see his take on Prince Philip."

4. Before joining The Crown, Menzies had minimal interest in the royal family.

Menzies expressed enthusiasm about joining The Crown, stating, "I'm delighted to be part of the new cast and to reunite with Olivia Colman. I eagerly anticipate becoming her devoted 'liege man of life and limb.'" However, in February 2019, he confessed to having limited knowledge of royal history. "I wasn’t particularly interested in the royals before this role," Menzies shared with RadioTimes.com. "I didn’t follow their stories closely, but I’ve grown fascinated by Prince Philip’s life. He’s a fascinating and complex individual, and I’ve developed great respect for him."

5. Menzies inadvertently revealed the season 3 release date just weeks before Netflix’s official announcement.

While Netflix may have always planned to announce season 3’s release date in August, Menzies unintentionally spilled the beans in late July during an interview on Jo Good’s BBC Radio show. Discussing his role in The Crown, he mentioned, "We finished filming season three, and it premieres in November." A minor slip!

6. Paul Bettany was nearly cast in the role that ultimately went to Menzies.

If you recall whispers about Paul Bettany potentially portraying the Duke of Edinburgh, you’re not mistaken. For a time, the London-born actor appeared to be the frontrunner for the role, but scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented him from taking it. When questioned about the rumors of his near-casting, Bettany clarified, "We talked about it, but we couldn’t align on dates. That’s all there was to it."

7. Helena Bonham Carter is set to portray Princess Margaret.

Following months of speculation—and a notable hint on Instagram—Netflix officially confirmed in May 2018 that Helena Bonham Carter would take on the role of Princess Margaret in the upcoming season of The Crown. "I’m equally nervous about doing justice to the real Princess Margaret and stepping into the shoes of Vanessa Kirby’s portrayal," Bonham Carter remarked. "The only certainty is that I’ll be shorter than Vanessa."

Similar to Colman, Bonham Carter has prior experience playing royalty: she portrayed Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, also known as the Queen Mother, in the Academy Award-winning film The King's Speech.

8. Princess Diana will not be part of season 3.

As The Crown progresses, so does the timeline. While fans speculated that Princess Diana’s introduction might take several more seasons, creator Peter Morgan initially hinted to People Magazine that Diana would debut toward the end of season three and play a significant role in the subsequent seasons. However, casting director Nina Gold later clarified that this was not the case.

"Diana isn’t in this season," Gold confirmed to Vanity Fair. "When we eventually introduce her, it will be quite intriguing." Charles and Diana didn’t meet until 1977, when the Prince was dating Diana’s older sister, Sarah. According to Variety, season three will only span the years 1964 to 1976.

9. Camilla Parker Bowles will make an appearance.

Given the importance of Camilla Parker Bowles in the narrative of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s relationship, the Duchess of Cornwall will debut in season three, portrayed by Emerald Fennell, known for her role in Call the Midwife.

10. The actress portraying Camilla also played a significant behind-the-scenes role in the second season of Killing Eve.

Emerald Fennell, much like Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, has extensive experience both in front of and behind the camera. When Waller-Bridge—who adapted Killing Eve for TV—stepped away during the show’s second season to focus on Fleabag, Fennell took over as writer and showrunner. Her efforts earned her two Emmy nominations this year, including for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.

11. Buckingham Palace is set to receive a grand makeover.

Despite the already opulent set design, Left Bank—the production company behind the series—requested additional studio space at Elstree Studios in late 2017, gaining approval in April. As reported by Variety, the plans include a new Buckingham Palace exterior, complete with the iconic gates and balcony used by the royals during significant events. The designs also feature a revamped Downing Street, with detailed sketches showing a Rolls Royce arriving at Number 10.

12. The tumultuous marriage between Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon will be a central focus of the storyline.

Princess Margaret’s turbulent relationship with Antony Armstrong-Jones was a key element of The Crown’s second season, and the unraveling of their marriage will be explored in season three.

"We’re currently working on season three," shared Robert Lacey, the show’s historical consultant and author of The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 1, in a December interview with Town & Country. "Without revealing too much—since it’s a matter of historical record—we’ll witness the collapse of Margaret and Snowdon’s extraordinary marriage. This season delves into how it began and highlights Snowdon’s unique and brilliant personality."

13. Jason Watkins will take on the role of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

When Netflix announced Bonham Carter’s casting, they also revealed that BAFTA-winning actor Jason Watkins would portray Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister who served from 1964 to 1970 and again from 1974 to 1976. "I’m thrilled to join this remarkable series," Watkins stated. "It’s an honor to collaborate with Peter Morgan again. Harold Wilson is a pivotal and intriguing figure in our history, and I’m excited to bring him to life during a decade that reshaped us culturally and politically."

14. Gillian Anderson will portray Margaret Thatcher.

While this might be a detail for the fourth season, it’s still noteworthy. In January 2019, rumors circulated that The Crown had found its Iron Lady: Gillian Anderson, known for The X-Files, was reportedly cast as former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for the show’s fourth season. Netflix has since confirmed the news.

15. The role of Princess Diana for season 4 has been filled.

We’re bending the rules with another season 4 update—but it’s a significant one. On April 9, 2019, Netflix officially announced that newcomer Emma Corrin would play Princess Diana. Corrin, who recently debuted on television in an episode of Grantchester and will star alongside Keira Knightley in the upcoming film Misbehaviour, will join the series in its next season.

"Emma is an extraordinary talent who instantly impressed us during her audition for Diana Spencer," creator Peter Morgan stated. "She embodies the youthful innocence and beauty of Diana, while also possessing the depth and versatility needed to portray a woman who transformed from an unknown teenager into one of the most iconic figures of her time."

Corrin, understandably, was overjoyed by the announcement. "I’ve been a devoted fan of the show since its first episode, and joining this incredibly talented cast feels surreal," she shared. "Princess Diana was a global icon whose impact continues to inspire. Having the chance to explore her story through Peter Morgan’s writing is an extraordinary opportunity, and I’ll do my utmost to honor her legacy."

16. The wait for season 4 might not be as long as expected.

Long before the release date for season 3 was revealed, Peter Morgan confirmed that seasons 3 and 4 were being filmed consecutively. This suggests that the wait for season 4 might be shorter than anticipated.