The Crown Cast: Where Are The Final Season’s Stars Now, And Which Iconic Actors Are Returning To The Stage?

The final curtain call for Netflix's historical epic, The Crown, has cemented its last generation of actors as global superstars, leaving fans eager to know what their next royal-sized projects will be. As of December 2025, the cast responsible for portraying the most recent and tumultuous years of the British Royal Family are moving into major new roles, with a mix of blockbuster films, prestige television, and highly anticipated theatrical productions dominating their schedules. This article provides a definitive, up-to-date guide to the final cast, a look at their complete profiles, and a deep dive into the legacy of the actors who defined the series from Season 1 to Season 6.

The sixth and final season, which covered the period from the late 1990s through the early 2000s, including the tragic death of Princess Diana and the early romance of Prince William and Kate Middleton, required its actors to navigate some of the most sensitive moments in modern royal history. Their performances have earned them global recognition and paved the way for exciting new career chapters.

The Final Reign: Complete Biography of The Crown Season 6 Cast

The show's unique recasting strategy, where a new set of actors takes over every two seasons to reflect the aging of the characters, culminated with the final, iconic ensemble. Here is a detailed look at the actors who closed out the series.

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• Imelda Staunton (Queen Elizabeth II)
  • Born: January 9, 1956, in London, England.
  • Notable Pre-Crown Roles: Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter film series, Vera Drake in the 2004 film Vera Drake (for which she received an Academy Award nomination), and Mrs. Palmer in Sense and Sensibility.
  • Career Highlights: A five-time Olivier Award winner, Dame Imelda Staunton is one of Britain’s most decorated stage and screen actresses. Her portrayal of the Queen in her later, more stoic years was praised for its quiet gravitas.
• Elizabeth Debicki (Diana, Princess of Wales)
  • Born: August 24, 1990, in Paris, France.
  • Notable Pre-Crown Roles: Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby (2013), Ayesha in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Kat in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet.
  • Career Highlights: Debicki’s performance as Princess Diana in Seasons 5 and 6 earned her widespread critical acclaim, culminating in a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
• Dominic West (Prince Charles, now King Charles III)
  • Born: October 15, 1969, in Sheffield, England.
  • Notable Pre-Crown Roles: Detective Jimmy McNulty in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire, and Noah Solloway in the Golden Globe-winning series The Affair.
  • Career Highlights: West is known for his versatility, moving seamlessly between television dramas, Hollywood films, and classical theatre. His portrayal of Charles focused on the complex personal life of the future King.
• Jonathan Pryce (Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
  • Born: June 1, 1947, in Holywell, Wales.
  • Notable Pre-Crown Roles: The High Sparrow in Game of Thrones, Governor Weatherby Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, and his Oscar-nominated role in The Two Popes.
  • Career Highlights: Pryce brought a reflective and contemplative energy to the role of Prince Philip in his later years, grounding the final seasons with his decades of experience as an actor.
• Lesley Manville (Princess Margaret)
  • Born: March 12, 1956, in Brighton, England.
  • Notable Pre-Crown Roles: Cyril Woodcock in Phantom Thread (for which she received an Academy Award nomination), and Cathy in Ordinary Love.
  • Career Highlights: Manville is a frequent collaborator with director Mike Leigh and is celebrated for her nuanced, powerful performances across film and theatre.

The Crown's Final Generation: New Stars and Their Next Steps

The final episodes introduced a new crop of young actors tasked with portraying the next generation of the Royal Family, including the now-Prince and Princess of Wales. These roles often serve as a major launching pad for emerging talent, and their next projects are already highly anticipated.

• Ed McVey (Prince William): McVey, who played the young Prince William during his time at St Andrews University, made his professional screen debut in The Crown. His performance, especially alongside Meg Bellamy, captured the nascent stages of one of the world's most famous modern romances. Fans are keenly watching for his next major announcement, as the "Crown Effect" typically propels its debut stars to international fame.
• Meg Bellamy (Kate Middleton): Bellamy, who was cast after submitting a self-taped audition following a social media callout, had her professional acting debut as Kate Middleton. Her natural chemistry with Ed McVey was a highlight of the final episodes. Her immediate future is expected to involve a careful selection of roles to capitalize on her sudden international recognition.
• Luther Ford (Prince Harry): Ford played the older Prince Harry in the final season. Like his co-stars, The Crown marked a significant early-career milestone. He is also a filmmaker, suggesting a versatile career path that may include behind-the-camera work. Ford has already been cast in the upcoming BBC series King & Conqueror as Tostig Godwinson, indicating a quick follow-up to his role in the Netflix drama.

From Royalty to Blockbuster: The Cast’s Major Upcoming Projects (2025–2026)

The success of The Crown has not only brought accolades but has also filled the schedules of its leading actors with major new film, television, and theatre commitments, ensuring their presence on screens and stages worldwide through 2025 and 2026.

Imelda Staunton’s Return to the Stage and Screen

Dame Imelda Staunton is making a significant return to her theatrical roots. She is set to star in a revival of the classic musical Hello, Dolly! and will also headline a production of George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession, which is slated for a cinema broadcast release. Furthermore, she is attached to the cast of the upcoming film AGATHA, a mystery alongside Antonia Thomas and Josh Dylan, proving her continued demand in both film and theatre.

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Elizabeth Debicki’s Hollywood Ascent

Elizabeth Debicki’s Emmy-winning portrayal of Princess Diana has propelled her into the Hollywood A-list. Her next major project is joining the ensemble cast of the highly anticipated David Fincher project, The Adventures of Cliff Booth. This film, a follow-up to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is a major career move, placing her opposite stars like Brad Pitt and Scott Caan. Her involvement in a prestige Netflix project with a renowned director like Fincher confirms her status as a leading international talent post-The Crown.

Dominic West’s Transition to Legal Thriller

Dominic West has quickly lined up a high-profile television role after completing his tenure as Prince Charles. He is set to star in the Sky and HBO Original legal thriller titled WAR. In WAR, West will take on the role of a powerful tech titan, a stark contrast to the royal figure he just played. This move, along with his casting in the upcoming series The Agency, demonstrates his commitment to prestige television and his ability to embody complex, commanding characters, continuing his legacy from shows like The Wire and The Affair.

The Legacy Actors: From Claire Foy to Emma Corrin

No discussion of The Crown cast is complete without acknowledging the preceding actors who established the emotional and dramatic foundation of the series. The show's success is deeply rooted in the powerhouse performances of the three main Queen Elizabeth II actresses and the actors who played the younger generations.

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The Queens: Claire Foy and Olivia Colman

Claire Foy (Seasons 1 & 2) set the standard for the role of Queen Elizabeth II, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her nuanced portrayal of the young monarch navigating her early reign. Since leaving the role, Foy has starred in films like First Man and the psychological thriller Unsane, showcasing her range beyond the royal drama.

Olivia Colman (Seasons 3 & 4) took over the role, bringing a profound sense of weary duty to the middle-aged Queen. Colman, already an Academy Award winner for The Favourite, has continued her prolific career, starring in acclaimed projects such as The Lost Daughter and the upcoming film Wicked Little Letters.

The Younger Royals: Corrin and O’Connor

Emma Corrin (Princess Diana, Season 4) and Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles, Seasons 3 & 4) became global sensations for their portrayals of the ill-fated royal couple. Corrin, who uses they/them pronouns, has since starred in the acclaimed FX series A Murder at the End of the World and the film adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover.

Josh O’Connor has also moved into major film roles, most notably starring opposite Zendaya in the critically acclaimed romantic sports film Challengers (2024). He is also slated to appear on stage in the revival of the play Golden Boy, demonstrating the cast's continuous commitment to both screen and stage work.

The entire ensemble, from the original cast to the final generation, has ensured that the legacy of The Crown remains one of the most significant achievements in modern television. Their current and future projects prove that while the monarchy on screen has concluded, the reign of these talented actors in the entertainment world is just beginning.