I am currently obsessed with season two of The Crown. The same was true of season one but it was different because I knew its history better so I was able to sort fanciful from fact. This season, I shout, “Wait, but did that actually happen?!” every other scene. I have two episodes left and I’m trying to spread them out so I can savor each moment. I just finished the Kennedy episode and, accepting how embellished it was, it still took an emotional toll. The cast is fantastic *standing O for all*.
Season two ends in the year 1964. Season three will likely skip ahead to the early 1970s. We know Olivia Coleman will be taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Claire Foy who’s been amazing in her two seasons. I’m biased because I think Olivia could play a mulberry bush convincingly so I think she is a lovely successor to Claire. The current role being filled is that of the queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, who was played by Vanessa Kirby in seasons one and two. Vanessa was as good as Margaret as Claire was as QEII. She personified “tragic beauty.” So who has the chops to take over? Netflix thinks Helena Bonham Carter does.
The “Ocean’s 8” actress is currently in talks to play Princess Margaret in the upcoming season of Netflix’s royal drama “The Crown,” multiple outlets have confirmed.
Series creator Peter Morgan reportedly has a six-season plan in place that involves new actors joining the cast every two seasons to play older versions of the characters. Bonham Carter is “all but confirmed” to replace actress Vanessa Kirby, who delivered a standout performance this past season as the youngest daughter of King George VI.
“I’m just so excited about whoever gets to do it because they’ve definitely got the coolest stuff coming up. Bring on the drama!” Kirby said of her replacement in December. “I would have loved to have done it. I absolutely love to do all the blazing rows and getting drunk and just all of it. But I suppose I was lucky enough to have two seasons, so I could be more grateful, really.”
What do you think? I like it. I think HBC and Olivia are well matched. Margaret’s storyline in season three will focus on her marriage to Tony Armstrong-Jones falling apart so it will be a meaty role. The article mentioned that HBC played Queen Elizabeth (aka the Queen Mum) in The King’s Speech. I remember her performance in that film standing out to me in the way she conveyed so many emotions while never abandoning an air of grace. All of her Tim Burton caricatures aside, I these types of roles are where she shines. As you can tell, I very much want this deal to go through.
Side-bar: Olivia also played the Queen Mum in Hyde Park on Hudson.
The role of Philip has not been discussed but Matt Smith implied on Seth Meyers that he may know who it was (didn’t give it up, though). Again, Matt Smith did such justice to it during his turn (and has practically given me TMJ from clenching my teeth over Philip’s antics). There will also be a new Tony, and we’ve only just been graced with Matthew Goode! Plus, QEII’s children are starting to come of age and Prince Charles will be in his early to mid-twenties, which also means… we’ll meet Camille (Shand) Parker-Bowles for the first time. When I finish season two, I’ll commit much time dream-casting the season three but for now, I’m not quite ready to let my current cast go.
Last note: the exact date range for season three has not been announced but it is thought it could cover 1970-1979. My guess is the season finale will likely be the death of Lord Mountbatten. If so, that will be one powerful episode, I’m sure.
Photo credit: WENN Photos and Getty Images
I think HBC looks like Claire Foy, but she’ll be great in any part she takes. Hope it’s true!
I noticed both ladies are brown-eyed. Hopefully they won’t make them wear contacts or anything.
I’m right there with you.
Jenna Coleman’s horrible contact lenses always distract me when watching Victoria
I love Vanessa Kirby as Margaret. I can’t take my eyes off her when she is in a scene. She’s amazing.
I was a little skeptical when I first heard about HBC, mainly bc when I think of her, I think of Bellatrix LaStrange, or Sweeney Todd, those types of roles. But then I remember the Kings Speech and how GOOD she was in it. Much like Kirby, she stole any scene she was in.
So, I’m now full on team HBC for Margaret.
It’s funny that she’s better known for those Tim Burton roles. When i was growing up, she was the corset actress because of all those costume dramas she was in. The Tim Burton roles were the polar opposite of what she was known for.
Agree LAK, I rarely see the Burton films but when I think of her, I think of all those rich, wonderful Merchant and Ivory type of films where she really shined.
For a long time, I couldn’t stand HBC and I can’t remember why, possibly the Tim Burton stuff. But luckily the scales have fallen from my eyes and I now love and adore HBC.
Whenever I think of HBC I think of Kathy Burke and that amazing shade she threw her way.
I’m going to miss seeing the actress who played her in the first two seasons. I don’t understand why they couldn’t keep the parts for one more round.
She was also brilliant as the Queen Mum in The King’s Speech.
I just found out the other day that Vanessa Kirby played Rachel McAdams’s feisty bff in About Time. I was like whaaaaaa???
The Kennedy episode wasn’t embellished, it was flat-out lies and character assassination (no pun intended).
Seasons 1 and 2 of the Crown are fantastic and poignant.
This brings me to feel pity for Prince William and his son Prince George who are going to predecessor. Prince Charles, call me the bad person here, May God bless his soul as he will be King soon because no one in England has no interest in him and from the looks of things, he going to have a tough time as he takes the crown.
Prince Harry should he thanking his lucky stars he is never going to be King.
Seasons 1 and 2 of the Crown are fantastic and poignant.
And to a point fictional.
I’ll watch HBC in anything. Even if she’s joining The Crown as the person who makes the Queen’s tea, I’ll still watch it.
I’ve been a HBC fan since her very early days, and she can act. I’ve always enjoyed her talent however it presents itself. Furthermore, I’ve always had a crush and her quirky style has mirrored my own throughout the years, lol, so I’m especially biased. I’m a middle-aged woman who still wears her Doc Martens, baggy clothes, unruly hair and pining for the 90’s ;p.
Oooh, that would be interesting casting…
I too hope it’s HBC. If The Crown stretches into a season 4, will we need a Diana? The Edward VIII/Hitler episode was chilling. The real photos in the end of the episode were incredible. If you don’t find time for the whole Crown season 2, find that episode.
OMG yes that episode was chilling. I was not aware of all the Nazi connections to the royal family, so it was shocking to say the least.
I can’t remember where I read it (vanity fair maybe?), but they are planning to introduce Diana at some point, so I’m sure there will be a fourth season. I think the plan is to cover the family up into current times…
That episode had me asking “did this really happen?” the most. When they showed the photos at the end, without warning, tears sprang forth. I felt like I’d been punched. I did like that the episode left the door slightly ajar for possible conjecture. I thought it was one of the best in both series, even if (perhaps because?) it left me with more questions than answers
That episode was amazing. The pictures at the end were just the perfect touch.
I also loved the episode about Churchill and his portrait
TBH the real royal family is much better looking than their onscreen counterparts, and that rarely ever happens with biopics.
Although the casting for young Phillip was spot on, that kids should get some awards love.
I think young Phillip was much more handsome than Matt Smith.
I agree w/Pedro. Philip was much better looking than Matt Smith. I think Foy & Kirby are much better looking than QE & Margaret, though Margaret was almost pretty when properly photographed. Tony A-J was attractive & Matthew Goode is very good looking. Wonder who they’ll use for Chuck & Anne – maybe people with chins?
The Crown is so much fun. The best scene from season 2 was the opening of episode 8 with the Corgies on the truck. Their expressions were everything! I’m really looking forward to the next seasons.
I love this show so much and will miss the current cast, but I’m very excited to see how the new cast moves the stories forward. Vanessa Kirby is a scene stealer. Love her!
I’m going to miss the whole cast from the first two seasons…I think they’re all fantastic, especially Vanessa Kirby, but I’m hopeful they’ll pick some good actors for these roles. I think HBC would do great!
I loathed the Kennedy episode. Hated Michael c halls terrible accent and the fact he doesnt look anything like JFK didn’t help matters. The actress who played Jackie was so thin I found it to be very distracting.
Factually it was so wrong as to be offensive. I feel like they wanted some kind of a commentary on a certain boorish American president but it was really inaccurate to portray JFK that way.
And, as you said, the casting was all wrong and the acting was terrible.
Why was it wrong factually? I did watch this and felt his portrayal to be fine. I’m not an expert on Boston accents or accents in general of course but I didn’t have a problem with his. I don’t know anything much about JFK either except the basics really since he had passed away before I was born. I know it was devastating to the country when he was assassinated as well. But I do remember him being a womanizer, his father encouraging that, and his affair with Marilyn Monroe specifically. And didn’t he marry Jackie Bouvier because she would make a good wife for a politician and not love? Plus everyone took speed and downers back then, and smoked… I probably have watched too many sensational biopics on this topic! I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything as I’m seriously interested in what specifically you guys disliked so much or what was wrong. I enjoyed both actors as well. I thought the lady that played Jackie really resembled her.
Neither of them was a great pick for the role, I concur. The Jackie actress seemed to be copying Natalie Portman’s portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy more than referring to the original.
That was a terrible, embarrassing episode. JFK and Jackie were cosmopolitan people and they would not behaved that way. And Michael C. Hall was dreadful.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. I felt disturbed by the abusive scenes. And I was just so distracted by how malnourished the actresses who played Jackie was.
@Huckle,
JFK was never physically abusive and he wasn’t even much of a drinker. I think he and Jackie loved each other in their own way.
They were both very sophisticated and worldly. Neither he nor Jackie was any kind of ugly American. They knew exactly how to behave. He spent a lot of time in London and had already met the royal family when his father was Ambassador. His sister Kathleen was presented at Court and named Deb of the Year. She married a not inconsequential British aristocrat (the first son of the Duke of Devonshire) and is buried in England.
Horrible, horrible casting for Jackie and John Kennedy. I don’t know what they were thinking. It was distracting for me.
…go away Helena go away Kristin go away Olivia…some other actor plse…
Kirby did a great job and HBC would also be great for it, I hope it works out.
Oh and while we’re going down this road–I assume Alex Jennings stays on to play David for the rest of his life in this season….will he come back in Season 6 or 7 to play Prince Charles again? lolz
I have to agree with you on the Olivia Coleman thing, she is tremendous. She does everything well from cooky comedy to badass detective. I absolutely love her and cannot wait for this next season! Oh yes, HBC is great too!
I don’t love The Crown. Like the Fug Girls, I think it gives very little insight and agency to the women in comparison to the men.
But I think Olivia Coleman is spot on, and HBC will steal the whole thing as Margaret.
I finished Season Two last night (loved it! but…now what should I watch?!)
Watch Victoria, Versailles or War & Peace (2016). War & Peace is a fave of mine because it has my boyfriend James Norton as the lead 🙂
WHAT THERE’S A SHOW ABOUT VERSAILLES? MUST FIND IT NOW
Rough from vanessa to Helena! She lived a hard life the princess didn’t she?! Anyway Kirby stole the show, she was amazing as Princess Margaret!
Vanessa Kirby is exquisite in the role, giving a very multidimensional performance – a wild-child party girl with a wounded heart and simmering resentment. I hope HBC can continue to bring the goods.
We deserve more Matthew Goode. Given that he’s close to 40 (Snowden would have been 40 in 1970), it wouldn’t be a stretch to keep him?
I rewatched a Room with a View over the holidays…..re-obsessed with HBC and her insane beauty. We need more of her.
I hope it’s true. I am so hooked on ‘The Crown’ season two right now too!
Yi pppppeeee!! please let it happen. I love her in anything she does.
I’m miserable thinking about losing the current main actors and actresses, Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby. I’m so attached to them in their roles and they are all amazing. Vanessa Kirby steals every scene she is in she’s so good. How could anyone be as good as Matt Smith as Prince Phillip? Claire Foy is perfection. I’m selfish. I just wish they could be on one more season and aging them just a little.
And in Season 2, the episode where Alex Jennings was brought back as the Duke of Windsor was brilliant. He was spectacular. He made my skin crawl.
Gillian Anderson started dating Peter Morgan, the creator and scribe of all the episodes, in 2016, so I’d be shocked if she doesn’t end up doing something in the next few seasons. She was busy shooting the last season of X Files through the last half of 2017 (new episodes recently started) so she might not have been available for shooting for series two. I’ve been thinking about what role she could play and that would largely depend on how old some of the key players are when we start series three. Gillian will be fifty this year (and she looks fantastic!)
It is truly staggering looking at photos of Margaret at about 20. She was breathtaking. I think when Beaton photographed her he mentioned a “faintly Marie Antoinette air about her” and he was, unfortunately, prescient in that respect. It can’t be easy to find an actress who can combine Margaret’s gorgeous English rose looks and her air of tragedy in the making before it happens.
Yes please!
Mulberry bush 😂
Oh when oh when there will be a thread about Channel 4’s deliciously funny “The Windsors”… Am so looking forward to the comments 😀