The Crown creator confirms fifth season will be the show's last and reveals who will play the Queen

The release of the third season of The Crown earlier this year gave us a taste for more and now the show’s creators have revealed details on the fifth series.

It has been revealed that the fifth season of the hit Netflix show will be the final one and there will be a new actress playing Elizabeth II in her twilight years.

Creator and writer Peter Morgan has also just confirmed that British actress Imelda Staunton will replace Olivia Colman as the show’s leading lady.

Peter said, “I’m absolutely thrilled to confirm Imelda Staunton as Her Majesty the The Queen for the fifth and final season, taking The Crown into the 21st century. Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy and Olivia Colman."

It was initially thought that the hit show would run for six seasons, but Peter explains that it feels more natural to end the show on the fifth series.

He adds, “At the outset I had imagined The Crown running for six seasons but now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop. I’m grateful to Netflix and Sony for supporting me in this decision.”

It’s believed that this move will mean more recent royal events will not be portrayed by the TV show.

Speaking on her new role, 63-year-old Imedla said, “I have loved watching The Crown from 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.

“I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion.”

Imelda is an award-winning actress known for her roles in Downton Abbey, Vera Drake and Shakespeare in Love, as well as her portrayal of Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter franchise.