Netflix's The Crown announces the final Prince Philip

(Image credit: Getty Images)

By Georgia Farquharson

published 13 August 2020

Game of Thrones star Jonathan Pryce has been cast as Prince Philip for series five and six of The Crown.

The Welsh actor will portray the Duke of Edinburgh in the final two series of the hit Netflix drama.

Jonathan, 73, will be appearing alongside Imelda Staunton as The Queen and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.

According to The Sun, an insider said, "The three British actors formed a Holy Trinity of talent which shows bosses targeted to play the senior members of the royal family.

“Jonathan was the only name which was discussed to play Philip, and the creators were thrilled when he agreed to join the cast.

“He was one of the last of the trio to sign up, however, as the final casting process taking place over Zoom calls during lockdown.”

Jonathan will take over from Tobias Menzies who plays the role of Prince Philip in series three and four.

The news comes just weeks after Peter Morgan, the writer and creator of The Crown, made a U-turn and said there would be a sixth and final series, months after saying the show would end after series 5.

He said, "As we started to discuss the story lines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons.

“To be clear, Series 6 will not bring us any closer to present day — it will simply enable us to cover the same period in greater detail.”

The decision came after questions were raised as to whether the show would address modern day affairs of the royal family, including The

Duke and Duchess of Sussex's shock decision to step back earlier this year.

But, Suzanne Mackie - an executive producer on the show - said it's unlikely The Crown will make it up to modern day.

"To be honest, whatever the life of The Crown is after where we are now, I doubt we'll ever go as far into the present day," she explained.

"I think we'll probably - we won't travel into the present day."

Georgia writes across Woman & Home and Good to Know and specialises in all things royal. Previously labelled the "Queen of the royals," Georgia knows the whose who and what's what when it comes to the monarchy. When she's not eagerly following the royal family, Georgia enjoys shopping and self-care. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."