Olivia Colman issues warning to Queen Elizabeth replacement Imelda Staunton ahead of The Crown Season 4

We're all obsessed with the drama of the royal series - but it's not easy playing the Queen!

Olivia Colman
(Image credit: Getty)

If you've just finished bingeing series three of The Crown on Netflix, you probably can't wait for Season 4, but there's one thing new star Imelda Staunton won't be looking forward to…

The Crown Season 4 starOlivia Colman has a word of warning for Queen Elizabeth replacement Imelda Staunton, who steps in her shoes for Series 5.

The actress, who replaced Claire Foy in the Netflix drama's third and fourth season will be succeeded by Imelda for the final seasons of The Crown.

Unable to meet up to conduct a handover of the role, Olivia admitted she would be "so excited" to speak to Imelda ahead of filming.

What is The Crown Season 4 star's advice?

"If she calls me, I'll be so excited," said Olivia who added that she "wouldn't know what to say" to the Vera Drake star.

When asked if she had any advice for Imelda, 64, Olivia confessed she would say: "Good luck… the wig's itchy."

The new trailer was released for the upcoming season four - to be aired on 15th November. It showed tumultuous scenes involving Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) and Princess Diana (Emma Corrin).

READ MORE:The Crown’s Helena Bonham Carter has opened up about playing Princess Margaret

Are there other changes following on from The Crown Season 4?

Helena Bonham Carter, who plays the role of Princess Margaret, wished her own replacement – Lesley Manville – the best of luck.

She said, "It's like handing a baton. It's like a relay race, but it never comes back. I want to hand her my cigarette holder and say, 'Good luck with this'."

Meanwhile there are more actor swaps - Jonathan Pryce will take over the role of Prince Phillip. And The Crown newbie Gillian Anderson has joined the cast as Margaret Thatcher.

READ MORE:The Crown: Everything you need to know about season three

What did Imelda say about her new role?

Speaking about her new role, at the time her appointment was announced, Imelda said, "I have loved watchingThe Crownfrom the very start. 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.

She added, "I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be takingThe Crown to its conclusion."

Let's hope Imelda has a remedy in her handbag for the wig itch!

Selina Maycock

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 15 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She has covered all things Entertainment for GoodtoKnow, Woman&Home and My Imperfect Life. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand.