The Crown’s Generational Cast: Where Are The Stars Now And The New Faces Of William And Kate (2025 Update)

The Crown, Netflix’s monumental historical drama chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, has captivated global audiences by taking a unique approach to its storytelling: recasting the entire main ensemble every two seasons. This innovative, yet controversial, "generational casting" strategy allowed the show to cover six decades of the British monarchy with unparalleled realism, culminating in the final, emotionally charged Season 6. As of the latest updates in late 2025, the legacy of the show is defined not just by the royal figures it portrayed, but by the three generations of world-class actors who brought them to life, from the early days of Claire Foy to the final bow of Imelda Staunton.

The final cast members of the series are now moving on to new projects, but their portrayals of a royal family grappling with tragedy, public scrutiny, and the dawn of a new century—specifically the events leading up to and following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the early courtship of Prince William and Kate Middleton—cemented their place in television history. This article provides a definitive look at the full cast across all seasons and a deep dive into the stars who closed out the epic saga.

The Final Generation: Season 5 & 6 Cast and Biographies

The fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown covered the tumultuous period from the early 1990s through the early 2000s, including the Queen’s "annus horribilis," the divorce of Charles and Diana, the tragic death of Princess Diana, and the start of the next generation's story. This final ensemble brought a gravitas and emotional complexity necessary for these modern, highly scrutinized events.

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• Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II: Dame Imelda Staunton, born January 9, 1956, is a highly decorated English actress and singer. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), her career spans decades in theatre and film. She is widely known for her Oscar-nominated role in Vera Drake and for playing the universally despised Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film series. Her portrayal as the final Queen Elizabeth II was praised for its subtle, stoic complexity, capturing the monarch in her later years as she navigated public opinion and family crises.
• Dominic West as Prince Charles (King Charles III): Born October 15, 1969, Dominic West is an English actor, director, and producer. Educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Dublin, West is perhaps best known for his iconic role as Detective Jimmy McNulty in the HBO series The Wire and as Noah Solloway in The Affair. His casting as the future King Charles III was a major talking point, and his performance focused on the Prince's evolving public image and his complex relationship with Diana and Camilla.
• Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales: The Australian actress, born August 24, 1990, in Paris, took on the challenging role of Princess Diana for the final two seasons. Debicki, who studied acting at the University of Melbourne, first gained international recognition for her role as Jordan Baker in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. Her more recent work includes roles in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and as Ayesha in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Her performance as Diana in the lead-up to the Paris tragedy was critically acclaimed.
• Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: The Welsh actor and singer, born June 1, 1947, is a two-time Olivier Award and two-time Tony Award winner. Known for films like Brazil and Evita, and for playing the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones, Pryce brought a weary, yet sharp, intelligence to the aging Prince Philip.
• Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret: Born March 7, 1956, Manville is a celebrated British actress, nominated for an Academy Award for Phantom Thread. She followed Vanessa Kirby and Helena Bonham Carter in the role, capturing the Princess’s final years of declining health and continued rebellious spirit.

The New Royals: Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy’s Debut

The most anticipated new additions in the final episodes of Season 6 were the actors portraying the young Prince William and his future wife, Kate Middleton. These roles effectively passed the torch to the next generation of the royal family, bringing the historical drama into the 21st century.

• Ed McVey as Prince William: McVey took on the role of the older Prince William, covering his time from the aftermath of his mother's death through his university years. A graduate of the Drama Centre London, this was McVey's professional television debut. The final season’s plot focused heavily on William's emotional journey and his decision to attend St. Andrews University, where he met his future wife.
• Meg Bellamy as Kate Middleton: Bellamy, a relative newcomer, made her professional television debut playing Kate Middleton. Her storyline explored Kate's life before the royal connection, including her family life and the early stages of her courtship with Prince William at St. Andrews. The show’s narrative even touched upon the alleged "meddling" of Kate's mother, Carole Middleton, in encouraging the match, providing a fascinating, if dramatized, look at the future Princess of Wales.
• Rufus Kampa as a Younger Prince William: The role of Prince William in the immediate aftermath of Princess Diana’s death was portrayed by the younger actor, Rufus Kampa, who delivered a moving performance covering the Prince's grief and public appearances.

A Deep Dive into The Crown’s Generational Casting Strategy

The decision to recast the entire principal cast every two seasons—a move spearheaded by showrunner Peter Morgan—is arguably the defining structural feature of The Crown. This strategy allowed the show to maintain historical accuracy in the aging process of the characters without resorting to distracting makeup or digital de-aging techniques. The show effectively became three distinct, yet continuous, series, each anchored by a new set of acclaimed actors.

The Royal Generations of The Crown

The show's casting director, Robert Sterne, meticulously selected three distinct groups of actors to portray the British monarchy across six decades. This approach ensured that the actors were always age-appropriate for the historical period being depicted, lending enormous topical authority to the production.

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Generation 1: Seasons 1 & 2 (The Early Reign)

This generation covered the period from 1947 to 1964, focusing on the Queen's early years, the Suez Crisis, and the challenges of a post-war Britain. The actors in this generation set the high bar for the series' dramatic quality, earning multiple awards.

• Queen Elizabeth II: Claire Foy (Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Award winner)
• Prince Philip: Matt Smith
• Princess Margaret: Vanessa Kirby
• Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: Victoria Hamilton

Generation 2: Seasons 3 & 4 (The Middle Years)

Covering 1964 to 1990, this era introduced a more mature, yet still evolving, royal family, including the arrival of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The show's narrative broadened to include major political figures like Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, played by Gillian Anderson.

• Queen Elizabeth II: Olivia Colman (Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy winner)
• Prince Philip: Tobias Menzies (Emmy winner)
• Princess Margaret: Helena Bonham Carter
• Prince Charles: Josh O'Connor (Golden Globe and Emmy winner)
• Princess Diana: Emma Corrin (Golden Globe winner)

The consistent excellence in casting, from the youthful energy of Claire Foy to the seasoned gravitas of Imelda Staunton, is what truly defines The Crown's enduring success. The final season's focus on the emotional weight of Princess Diana's legacy and the emerging relationship of Prince William and Kate Middleton provided a powerful and poignant conclusion, ensuring the series remains one of the most talked-about and critically acclaimed television shows of the modern era. The cast members, both past and present, have all moved on to high-profile projects, but their collective work on the Netflix series is a masterclass in historical dramatic performance, forever intertwining their careers with the narrative of the British monarchy.

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