"The Crown . . . "

Greetings,

With the time change over this last weekend, the most important details is to now remember that we're an hour further away from the first episode of "The Crown" - coming on November 17th.

This first episode of the third season is going to represent a paradigm shift for the series.  As was announced years ago before the first episode of the first season aired, the plan has always been to have a significant time jump between seasons 2 and 3 (and again between seasons 4 and 5) which would necessitate a complete re-casting of the show!  So we have an entirely new collection of delicious British actors awash with corgis and velvet ceremonial robes!  If it helps, just pretend that all the members of the royal family are like James Bond.  We get a fresh one of those fairly regularly too!

Let's see who is up first;

Olivia Colman (as HM Queen Elizabeth) 

Olivia is making a habit of portraying members of the royal family.  She just won her first Oscar last season for her manically unhinged Queen Anne in "The Favourite."  But she's been around forever - I first became aware of her from the early days of Matt Smith in "Doctor Who!"  But - her biggest break was being cast as the downtrodden detective on "Broadchurch." Once it was announced that she was taking over the role from Claire Foy, I was completely excited.  She's going to be amazing!

Tobias Menzies (as HRH Prince Philip)

Yes, Black Jack Randall is going to portray HRH Prince Philip.  Tobias, like many of his fellow British actors, has been kicking around for years and years.  I'm excited to see what he might bring to the role of Her Majesty's husband!

Helena Bonham Carter (as HRH Princess Margaret)

We're getting into the good stuff with Princess Margaret!  At this point, she's still married to Tony Armstrong-Jones (though their relationship was endlessly stormy and dramatic!)  Helena has been a long-standing member of the British acting community . . . as far back as "A Room with a View" when she was the very definition of an English ingenue.  She's definitely going to bring a good deal of 'edge' to a very sassy role.

Josh O'Connor (as HRH Prince Charles)

If you've been distressed since the last episode of "The Durrells of Corfu" aired last week - you're in luck!  Lawrence Durrell is now Prince Charles.  I've seen a bit of Josh's work over the last few years - and he looks to be a perfect casting for a young Charles.  We'll get Charles' investiture as Prince of Wales in this season - and what looks like the beginning of his relationship with Camilla.  

What part of the story are YOU most looking forward to?

cheers,
Scot