How the cast of Netflix's 'The Crown' compares to the real-life royals

Callie Ahlgrim,Gabbi ShawSep 30, 2020, 00:04 IST

Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth on Netflix's "The Crown."Netflix

Netflix's original series "The Crown" is based on the real-life royal drama behind Queen Elizabeth II's reign as the British monarch.
Its award-winning actors were replaced for the third and fourth seasons to reflect the aging of the characters.
Here's how the new and former cast members compare to the real people they play on the show.

Netflix's beloved and expensive original series "The Crown" rehashes all the royal drama behind Queen Elizabeth II's reign as the British monarch.

The first two seasons, set in the late '40s through the early '60s, were highly praised for the performances, but the actors on the show aren't just talented — they also look a lot like the real people that their roles are based on.

The third season takes place in the late '60s and early '70s. Season four, which drops in November, will cover the '80s, with the addition of Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher. The original cast members have been replaced to reflect the aging of the characters.

Here's how both batches of formidable actors compare to the real people they play on the show.

Caroline Praderio contributed to an earlier version of this post.

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

Claire Foy won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II. Netflix

Here's what the Queen really looked like at her coronation in 1953. She was 25 years old.

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

Matt Smith played the queen's husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Matt Smith has also starred as the Doctor in "Doctor Who." Netflix

This is what Prince Philip looked like after the official announcement of his engagement to Elizabeth in 1947.

He was known as Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten before their wedding. Popperfoto/Getty Images

Olivia Colman has taken over the lead role.

Olivia Colman will star as Queen Elizabeth II on seasons three and four of "The Crown." Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix

Elizabeth was a mother of four and a global icon by the mid '60s.

Queen Elizabeth II in Germany after a 1965 State Reception. Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Tobias Menzies plays an older Prince Philip.

You might recognize Tobias Menzies as Edmure Tully from "Game of Thrones." Des Willie/Netflix

Philip continued to stand by Elizabeth's side, executing royal duties throughout the '70s.

Prince Philip in Poole, Dorset on June 8, 1972. Ray Bellisario/Popperfoto/Getty Images

These young actors portrayed Elizabeth and Philip's two oldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

The actors playing Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Robert Viglasky/Netflix

Here's a picture of the adorable royal siblings in 1952.

They would soon be joined by two more brothers: Prince Andrew in 1960 and Prince Edward in 1964. AP

Erin Doherty took over as the young adult Princess Anne in season three.

Erin Doherty had a small role on the BBC period drama series "Call the Midwife." Des Willie/Netflix

Princess Anne turned 21 years old in 1971.

Princess Anne during a visit to Turkey with her parents in October 1971. David Cairns/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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

Josh O'Connor also starred in "Florence Foster Jenkins." Des Willie/Netflix

Charles was invested as Prince of Wales by the Queen on July 1, 1969.

Prince Charles wearing the gold coronet of the Prince of Wales. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Vanessa Kirby was the first to portray Princess Margaret, the queen's younger sister.

Vanessa Kirby has also appeared in "Jupiter Ascending" and "Mission: Impossible - Fallout." Robert Viglasky/Netflix

Here's a young Margaret in 1951, four months ahead of her 21st birthday.

Margaret is pictured attending the premiere of the film "Captain Horatio Hornblower." Ron Burton/Keystone/Getty Images

In seasons one and two, Ben Miles played Peter Townsend, who had a controversial romance with Princess Margaret.

Ben Miles is also known for his roles in "V for Vendetta" and "Speed Racer." Netflix

Here's Townsend in 1955, the same year he and Margaret reunited as a couple.

Townsend was a British colonel and aviator. Carlo Bavagnoli/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

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

Matthew Goode has appeared in films like "Leap Year," "Stoker," and "The Imitation Game." Alex Bailey / Netflix

Armstrong-Jones is better known as Lord Snowden.

The couple pictured on February 26, 1960, just after announcing their engagement. Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images

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

Helena Bonham Carter won an Oscar for playing the Queen Mother in "The King's Speech." Des Willie/Netflix

Here's Margaret, left, at the investiture of Prince Charles.

Princess Margaret and Princess Anne in 1969. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Ben Daniels portrays an older Armstrong-Jones.

Ben Daniels has starred in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and on "House of Cards." Des Willie/Netflix

Here's Armstrong-Jones with his wife in 1970.

They were known as the Earl and Countess of Snowdon. Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Image

Victoria Hamilton played Queen Elizabeth, the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.

Victoria Hamilton starred in the 1999 film "Mansfield Park." Netflix

Here's the real Elizabeth, who was known fondly as the Queen Mother, in 1953.

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, commonly known as the Queen Mother. Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

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

Marion Bailey is known for films like "Allied," "Mr. Turner," and "Vera Drake." Des Willie/Netflix

This is what the Queen Mother looked like in 1969.

The Queen Mother arrives at the Italian Embassy in London. PA Images via Getty Images

During the early seasons, Eileen Atkins played Queen Mary, Elizabeth II's grandmother.

Eileen Atkins has starred in "Magic in the Moonlight" and "Paddington 2." Netflix

The real-life Queen Mary died in 1953.

A portrait of Queen Mary from the coronation of her second-oldest son, George VI, in 1937. Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images

Jared Harris played King George VI, Elizabeth II's father.

Jared Harris played the infamous Henry VIII in "The Other Boleyn Girl." Netflix

Here's George VI in his official coronation portrait from 1937.

Side note: George VI is the one that "The King's Speech" is all about. Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images

Alex Jennings played King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936, during season one.

Alex Jennings has also starred on recent TV series like "Unforgotten" and "Victoria." Netflix

Here's the real Edward after the abdication, in 1940.

After stepping down, he was named Duke of Windsor. AP

Lia Williams played American socialite Wallis Simpson, who became Edward VIII's wife.

Lia Williams is known for films like "The Foreigner" and "The Missing." Netflix

Williams looks remarkably like the real Wallis Simpson, pictured here in 1935.

She became the Duchess of Windsor. Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Greg Wise portrayed Prince Philip's uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten.

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

This is Mountbatten in 1943.

He served in the Royal Navy and was a World War II hero. British Official Photographer/ IWM via Getty Images

John Lithgow played British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

John Lithgow also played Roger Ailes in 2019's "Bombshell." Netflix

Here's Churchill in 1945.

He's pictured in his Downing Street office, shortly before the end of World War II. Popperfoto/Getty Images

Harriet Walter portrayed Churchill's wife, Clementine.

Harriet Walter portrayed Dr. Kalonia in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Netflix

This is the real Clementine in 1942.

She did her part as the wife of a wartime Prime Minister. Popperfoto/Getty Images

Jeremy Northam played Anthony Eden, a British politician who became Prime Minister.

Jeremy Northam acted alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in "Emma" and Sandra Bullock in "The Net." Netflix

Northam nailed the real Eden's distinctive mustache.

Eden is pictured on the day he took over as Prime Minister at 57 years old. Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images

Jason Watkins was cast for season three as Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Jason Watkins also stars on the BBC sitcom "Hold the Sunset." Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix

Here's Wilson making a speech in 1967.

He was a member of the Labor Party. Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Gillian Anderson is joining the cast on season four as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Gillian Anderson is best known for her roles in "The X-Files" and "Sex Education." Netflix

Here's Thatcher and her husband Denis in 1979, after she was elected prime minister.

Thatcher was the first female prime minister in the UK's history. Tim Graham/Getty Images

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

Emma Corrin has previously appeared on ITV series "Grantchester." Netflix

Here's Diana, the future Princess of Wales, in 1980.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1983. David Levenson/Getty Images

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