From Elizabeth Debicki to Imelda Staunton, Here's a Closer Look at the Cast of "The Crown" Season 5

The "Elementary" actor plays John Major, who served as the prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 to 1997. Even before the show aired, some drama surrounding his storyline occurred. An episode of the show features a scene where Charles, who at the time was Prince of Wales, summons Major to Buckingham Palace in an effort to oust the queen, but the real Major has vehemently denied that such an event ever happened. Per The Guardian, a spokesperson for Major called the show a "barrel-load of nonsense peddled for no other reason than to provide maximum – and entirely false – dramatic impact," and added that "there was never any discussion between Sir John and the then Prince of Wales about any possible abdication of the late Queen Elizabeth II – nor was such an improbable and improper subject ever raised by the then Prince of Wales (or Sir John). Neither Sir John nor Dame Norma have discussed the Monarchy remotely in these terms."

Staunton succeeds Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in the fifth season, which marks the first season of the show to air since the queen's death on Sept. 8.

"I have loved watching 'The Crown' from the very start," Staunton said in a statement. "As an actor, it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan's scripts. I am genuinely honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking "The Crown" to its conclusion." Previously, Staunton has played Lady Maud Bagshaw in "Downton Abbey," the title character in the movie "Vera Drake," and Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movies.

"The Affair" actor plays the '90s-era Prince of Wales. At present, England's current reigning sovereign King Charles III has succeeded the throne from his late mother, and his coronation ceremony is set to take place on May 6, 2023.

West was apparently a bit reluctant to take on the role at first, largely due to his respect for Josh O'Connor's performance in the previous two seasons. "I'd been watching the show, I'd been a fan from the start. I was very conscious of Josh's amazing performance, and his amazing success, and thought it was a bit of a hiding to nothing to try to follow that," he told Entertainment Weekly in an Oct. 18 interview.

Debicki joins the royal family as Princess Diana, replacing Emma Corrin. "Princess Diana's spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many," Debicki said in a statement. "It is my true privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one." This season will focus on Diana's break from the royal family in the 1990s, meaning that Debicki has a hefty role to take on.

Debicki certainly understands the legacy she's taken on as Diana. "She's like a symbol — like a magical person," the actor told Gotham Magazine in 2020. "I'm coming to understand more intimately how she existed and still exists very profoundly in collective consciousness. I think it's amazing that from age 7, I would remember somebody who had no actual impact on my life as a child in Australia—and yet I was very aware of her presence in the world. I remember seeing her face on magazines. My mother was very aware of her, as I think a lot of women close to her age were. She really followed her quite intimately because she represented something extremely human and extremely symbolic."

Manville takes on the role of Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister, previously played by Vanessa Kirby in seasons one and two, as well as Helena Bonham Carter in seasons three and four. "I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret," Manville said via the show's Twitter feed. "The baton is being passed on from two formidable actresses, and I really don't want to let the side down. Furthermore to play siblings with my dear friend Imelda Staunton will be nothing short of a complete joy."

Pryce steps into the role of the late Queen Elizabeth II's husband. "I am delighted to be working with Netflix again," the actor said in a statement shared on the show's official Twitter account. "The positive experience I had making 'The Two Popes' has given me the confidence to tackle the daunting prospect of playing Prince Philip."

Pryce starred alongside Anthony Hopkins in the 2019 movie "The Two Popes," portraying the future Pope Francis. He also played the High Sparrow in "Game Of Thrones," and is replacing "Game of Thrones" actor Tobias Menzies and "House of the Dragon" star Matt Smith, who both previously took on the role.

Williams takes on the role of Parker-Bowles, Charles's longtime love. In real life, Parker-Bowles is preparing to be crowned as Queen Consort, but in the 1990s, she was still embroiled in drama regarding her role in the dissolution of Charles and Diana's marriage. Williams, known for her performance in "An Education," also recently costarred in a play with "The Crown" alum Olivia Coleman in the play "Mosquitoes" in 2021, per Town & Country. She takes on the role from Emerald Fennell, and will also play Parker-Bowles in the show's sixth and final season.

Abdalla takes on the role of Fayed, Princess Diana's last boyfriend. The pair met at a polo match and were photographed together on a yacht, turning their relationship into a global news story. Fayed died alongside Diana in their 1997 limousine crash.

Previously, Abdalla played Selim in Marvel's "Moon Knight" and starred in "United 93" and "The Kite Runner."