Here's what the cast of 'The Crown' looks like in real life

Callie Ahlgrim,Gabbi ShawSep 30, 2020, 02:54 IST

The cast of "The Crown" season three.Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images

Netflix's original series "The Crown" is based on the real-life royal drama behind Queen Elizabeth II's reign as the British monarch.
The third season featured an all-new cast to reflect the aging of the characters.
Gillian Anderson will join the cast in season four as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, while Emma Corrin will play Princess Diana — the season drops in November.
Here's how the actors, both old and new, look in real life compared to their regal on-screen personas.

The first season of Netflix's original drama "The Crown," a retelling of Queen Elizabeth II's rise and reign as the British monarch, cost $100 million to make. That makes it one of the most expensive TV series of all time, just behind HBO's "Game of Thrones."

Part of that monster budget goes to dressing the cast in a wild number of transformative period costumes.

On Tuesday, Netflix shared images of Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Emma Corrin as Princess Diana, and the actors look just like the history-making women. Viewers will watch them on the show for the first time in season four, which drops in November.

See how all of the actors, both old and new, look in real life compared to their regal on-screen personas.

Caroline Praderio contributed to an earlier version of this post.

Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth II in the early days of her reign.

Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth in 1953, directly following her father's death. Netflix

Foy is equally regal in real life.

Claire Foy at the 2019 BAFTA Film Awards. Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Olivia Colman took over the lead role for seasons three and four.

Olivia Colman stars as Queen Elizabeth II on seasons three and four of "The Crown." Des Willie/Netflix

Colman won an Oscar in 2019 for her role as Queen Anne in "The Favourite."

Olivia Colman rocks a stylish pixie cut offscreen. Mike Marsland/WireImage

Matt Smith played Prince Philip, who married Elizabeth when she was still a princess.

Prince Philip was from the Greek and Danish royal families. Netflix

Smith is known for playing the titular role in the BBC series "Doctor Who."

Matt Smith at a special screening of "Mapplethorpe" on February 14, 2019. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Tobias Menzies plays an older Prince Philip.

Philip is an essential person in Elizabeth's support system. Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix

You might recognize Menzies from "Game of Thrones" or "Outlander."

Tobias Menzies is also known for his role in Starz's "Outlander." Mike Marsland/WireImage

Erin Doherty began playing Princess Anne in season three.

Erin Doherty as Princess Anne in season three of "The Crown." Des Willie/Netflix

Doherty had a small role on the BBC period drama series "Call the Midwife."

Erin Doherty arrives for the AFI gala screening of "The Crown" on November 16, 2019. Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

Josh O'Connor portrays an all-grown-up Prince Charles, the heir to the throne.

Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles on season three of "The Crown." Des Willie/Netflix

O'Connor won a British Independent Film Award for his role in the 2017 film "God's Own Country."

Josh O'Connor at the season three premiere of "The Crown" on November 13, 2019. Mike Marsland/WireImage

Netflix confirmed that Emma Corrin has been cast as the late Princess Diana.

Corrin and O'Connor in "The Crown." Netflix

Corrin appears to be a natural brunette in real life.

Emma Corrin in July 2019. Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Gillian Anderson is taking on the role of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in season four.

Anderson as Thatcher. Netflix

Anderson doesn't actually rock Thatcher's signature bouffant in real life.

Gillian Anderson in 2020. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images

Vanessa Kirby portrayed Elizabeth's younger sister, Margaret, during seasons one and two.

Princess Margaret was four years younger than the queen. Netflix

Kirby opts for blonde hair in real life.

Vanessa Kirby attends a special screening of "Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw" in July 2019. Mike Marsland/WireImage

Helena Bonham Carter took over the role as Princess Margaret for season three.

Bonham Carter in "The Crown." Netflix

Carter is well-known for iconic roles in movies like "Fight Club" and the "Harry Potter" series.

Helena Bonham Carter won the 2019 British Icon Award at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar

Ben Miles played Peter Townsend, Margaret's controversial lover.

Townsend was an Air Force officer. Netflix

Miles is perhaps best known for his starring role on the British TV comedy "Coupling."

Ben Miles attends "The Capture" photocall on August 15, 2019. Mike Marsland/WireImage

Matthew Goode joined the cast as Margaret's future husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, on season two.

Margaret reportedly met her future husband, a magazine photographer, in 1958. Netflix

Goode, who's appeared on "The Good Wife" and "Downtown Abbey," is actually a brunette.

Matthew Goode at the premiere of "The Imitation Game" in 2014. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Ben Daniels portrays an older Armstrong-Jones on season three.

Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones tied the knot on May 6, 1960. Netflix

Daniels is a celebrated stage actor.

Ben Daniels poses for a portrait during the 2017 Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour. Ron Eshel/Invision/AP

Eileen Atkins played Queen Mary, Elizabeth and Margaret's grandmother.

Queen Mary was also known as Mary of Teck. Netflix

In real life, she's an accomplished stage actress who was named a Dame by the real queen in 2001.

Dame Eileen Atkins in 2016. Joel Ryan/Invision/AP

Victoria Hamilton played the Queen Mother.

Queen Elizabeth II's mother was the original Queen Elizabeth. Netflix

Hamilton has traded old-fashioned finger waves for a blonde pixie cut.

Victoria Hamilton attends the 2018 Critics' Circle Theatre Awards. Dave Benett/Getty Images

Marion Bailey plays the Queen Mother in seasons three and four.

Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother on season three of "The Crown." Des Willie/Netflix

Bailey is equally graceful but more brunette in real life.

Marion Bailey attends the 2018 UK premiere of "Peterloo." Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images

Jared Harris played King George VI, Elizabeth and Margaret's father, during season one.

King George VI, as portrayed in "The Crown." Netflix

Offscreen, Harris usually grows out his beard.

Jared Harris poses for a portrait during the 2019 Winter TV Critics Association Press Tour. Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP

Alex Jennings played King Edward VIII, the older brother of King George VI who abdicated the throne in 1936.

King Edward VIII renounced the throne. Netflix

Jennings wears glasses in real life.

Alex Jennings at the Old Vic Midsummer Party in June 2019. Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images

Wallis Simpson, Edward's wife, was portrayed by Lia Williams.

Wallis Simpson was an American socialite. Netflix

Williams looks sophisticated in real life with a blonde pixie cut.

Lia Williams attends the press night after party for "The Night Of The Iguana" in July 2019. Dave Benett/Getty Images

Greg Wise played Lord Louis Mountbatten, who served in the Royal Navy.

Louis Mountbatten was Prince Philip's uncle. Netflix

You may recognize Wise from "Sense and Sensibility" or "Johnny English."

Greg Wise attends the 2018 premiere of CBS All Access' "Strange Angel." Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

John Lithgow — season one's only American actor — played Prime Minster Winston Churchill.

Churchill famously led Britain to victory in World War II. Netflix

Lithgow wore a fat suit to portray the storied politician.

John Lithgow poses for a portrait at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP

Churchill's wife, Clementine, was portrayed by Harriet Walter.

Clementine was a greatly influential during her husband's political career. Netflix

Walter, who looks much younger in real life, was also named a Dame by the actual queen.

Dame Harriet Walter at the 2019 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences New Members Party. David Parry/PA Images via Getty Images

Jeremy Northam played Anthony Eden, the British politician who succeeded Churchill as Prime Minister.

Northam's Eden appears in season one and season two. Netflix

The real Northam usually opts for a clean-shaven face and glasses.

Jeremy Northam in 2012. Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

During season two, Anton Lesser portrayed Harold Macmillan, the prime minister who succeeded Eden.

Lesser as Macmillan. Netflix

Lesser is fairly camera-shy in real life — here's how he looked a few years ago, in 2008.

Anton Lesser in 2008. robbie jack/Corbis/Getty Images

Jason Watkins plays Prime Minister Harold Wilson on season three.

Jason Watkins as Harold Wilson on season three of "The Crown." Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix

Watkins stars on the BBC sitcom "Hold the Sunset."

Jason Watkins at the season three premiere of "The Crown" on November 13, 2019. Mike Marsland/WireImage

Michael C. Hall and Jodi Balfour made a brief appearance on season two, playing US president John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie.

They look a lot like the real first couple. Netflix

Minus Balfour's iconic Jackie Kennedy hairdo, the two look fairly similar to their historic characters.

Michael C. Hall and Jodi Balfour. Matt Winkelmeyer/Jason Kempin/Getty

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