The Royal Ascent: Where Is The Original Cast Of The Crown Season 1 Now?

The original cast of *The Crown* Season 1 launched a global television phenomenon, premiering on Netflix on November 4, 2016, and setting the gold standard for prestige drama. This ensemble, led by Claire Foy and Matt Smith, covered the pivotal years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign from her wedding in 1947 to the Suez Crisis in 1955. As of today, *The Crown* has concluded its six-season run, making the initial cast's contributions a legendary part of television history. Their powerful portrayals of the young Queen, the restless Prince Philip, and the passionate Princess Margaret not only earned them critical acclaim and numerous awards but also served as a catapult to their current, highly successful careers in Hollywood blockbusters and other major television franchises. The brilliance of the first two seasons lay in the hands of the actors who breathed life into these historical figures, capturing the intense personal and political pressures of a new monarch. The series' unique format of recasting the entire main ensemble every two seasons means the Season 1 actors are now viewed as the 'founding' generation, and their post-*Crown* careers are a testament to the immense talent first showcased in Peter Morgan's acclaimed drama.

The Original Cast of The Crown Season 1: A Complete Biography and Filmography

The inaugural season of *The Crown* introduced viewers to the key members of the Royal Family and the political figures surrounding them during the early years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. This core group of actors established the tone and depth that defined the entire series.

• Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II: Born April 16, 1984, in Stockport, England. Foy portrayed the Queen from her wedding up to the point of her growing confidence as a monarch. She won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the role.
• Matt Smith as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Born October 28, 1982, in Northampton, England. Smith captured the Duke's early struggles with his position and his desire for purpose outside the Queen's shadow. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
• Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret: Born April 18, 1988, in Wimbledon, England. Kirby's portrayal focused on Margaret's passionate and ultimately doomed romance with Group Captain Peter Townsend. She won a BAFTA Award for her performance.
• Jared Harris as King George VI: Born August 24, 1961, in London, England. Harris played the ailing King whose death thrust Elizabeth onto the throne. He was nominated for a BAFTA Award.
• Victoria Hamilton as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: Born May 5, 1971, in Wimbledon, England. Hamilton portrayed the Queen Mother's grief and her role as a guiding figure to the young Queen.
• Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary: Born June 16, 1934, in London, England. Atkins played the formidable and tradition-bound grandmother of Elizabeth II.
• Jeremy Northam as Anthony Eden: Born December 1, 1961, in Cambridge, England. Northam portrayed the Foreign Secretary who later became Prime Minister and was disgraced by the Suez Crisis.
• Ben Miles as Group Captain Peter Townsend: Born September 29, 1966, in Wimbledon, England. Miles played the divorced equerry whose forbidden romance with Princess Margaret caused a constitutional crisis.
• Greg Wise as Lord Mountbatten: Born May 15, 1966, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Wise played Prince Philip’s influential uncle, a key figure in the Royal Family.

From Buckingham Palace to Hollywood Blockbusters: The Main Cast’s New Reigns

The success of *The Crown* Season 1 immediately elevated the careers of its leading actors, transitioning them from acclaimed British television stars to major international film and TV players. The decision to cast them was a masterstroke, and their subsequent work has only confirmed their exceptional talent.

Claire Foy (Queen Elizabeth II)

After concluding her tenure as the young Queen, Claire Foy strategically shifted to high-profile film roles, proving her versatility far beyond the period drama genre. Her post-*Crown* career is marked by complex, intense characters. She starred as Janet Armstrong, the wife of Neil Armstrong, in the Oscar-nominated film *First Man* (2018) alongside Ryan Gosling. She took on the iconic role of Lisbeth Salander in *The Girl in the Spider's Web* (2018), showcasing a dramatic departure from her royal role. More recently, she returned to British television with the critically acclaimed miniseries *A Very British Scandal* (2021), playing the scandalous Duchess of Argyll, proving her continued topical authority in historical dramas.

Matt Smith (Prince Philip)

Matt Smith, already internationally famous as the Eleventh Doctor in *Doctor Who*, used his time as Prince Philip to re-establish himself as a serious dramatic actor. His career has exploded with major franchise roles. He is currently one of the most recognizable faces in television as Daemon Targaryen in the *Game of Thrones* spin-off, *House of the Dragon*, a role he is set to reprise in the final season. Furthermore, Smith is joining the *Star Wars* universe, having confirmed his role in the upcoming movie *Star Wars: Starfighter*, cementing his status as a major genre actor and making him one of the most in-demand actors from the original *The Crown* cast.

Vanessa Kirby (Princess Margaret)

Vanessa Kirby's captivating portrayal of the rebellious Princess Margaret earned her a BAFTA and paved the way for a major career in action and drama films. She successfully transitioned to the big screen, starring as the White Widow in multiple installments of the *Mission: Impossible* franchise, including *Mission: Impossible – Fallout* (2018) and *Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One* (2023). In a massive recent update, Kirby is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in the upcoming *Fantastic Four* reboot, *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* (2025), a role that guarantees her continued presence in global cinema.

Jared Harris (King George VI)

Though his role as King George VI was brief, Jared Harris's performance was pivotal in setting the emotional stakes for the series. His career post-*The Crown* has been marked by critically acclaimed, award-winning television. He starred in the AMC horror series *The Terror* (2018) and, most notably, won a BAFTA for his role as Valery Legasov in the groundbreaking HBO miniseries *Chernobyl* (2019). Harris continues to be a highly respected actor, often taking on roles with significant historical or dramatic weight.

Where Are They Now? The Supporting Cast’s Continued Success

The depth of *The Crown* Season 1 was supported by a phenomenal roster of British talent, many of whom have continued their distinguished careers in major projects, adding to the show's rich topical authority.

The Queen Mother and Prime Minister

Victoria Hamilton (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) has continued to excel in high-quality television, with recent roles in the spy thriller series *Slow Horses* and the crime drama *Unforgotten*, demonstrating her enduring presence in British TV. Jeremy Northam (Anthony Eden) also maintained a steady career, appearing in the 2020 political thriller film *Official Secrets* alongside Keira Knightley.

The Forbidden Lovers and Royal Advisor

Ben Miles (Group Captain Peter Townsend) has had a successful career on stage and screen, notably starring on Broadway as Emanuel Lehman in the critically acclaimed play *The Lehman Trilogy*. Greg Wise (Lord Mountbatten) has appeared in several TV series and films and is often seen working alongside his wife, actress Emma Thompson. Dame Eileen Atkins (Queen Mary), a theatrical legend and a four-time Olivier Award winner, continues her prolific career, which includes acclaimed films like *Gosford Park* and *The Hours*, illustrating her lifelong commitment to the arts that predates and continues after *The Crown*.

The Enduring Legacy of The Crown Season 1

The debut season of *The Crown* was a critical darling, earning widespread praise for its lavish production, Peter Morgan’s sharp writing, and the power of its cast. The season received thirteen nominations at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, winning two, and earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama, with Claire Foy also winning the Golden Globe for Best Actress. The original cast’s success is a direct reflection of the show's impact. Their performances established the emotional baseline for the entire six-season run, creating a high bar for the subsequent actors who took on the iconic roles. The fact that the 'original' Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Princess Margaret are now starring in major cinematic universes—from *Star Wars* and *Mission: Impossible* to the MCU’s *Fantastic Four*—is the ultimate testament to the launching power of *The Crown* Season 1. They are not just the original cast; they are a group of actors who used a historical drama to launch themselves into the future of global entertainment.