Seeking your casting suggestions for The Crown, Series 3

[mommybunny]

OK, so we know Olivia Colman will be the Queen and Helena Bonham Carter is probably going to be Princess Margaret. I think they're both great choices and look forward to seeing them.

Who can we cast in the other roles?

I understand the series is meant to cover the 70s, and it's been suggested that the natural "end" to the series is Thatcher's election. So we probably won't see Diana or Fergie yet, but could see Camilla.

Here is where I'm at in my head right now:

Prince Philip (fair-haired male, mid-40s/mid 50s in age): not my idea but I think Iain Glen is absolutely inspired

Queen Mother (short, dark-haired female, 60s-70s in age): Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie

Prince Charles (dark-haired male, mid 20s/mid 30s in age): Jonah Hauer-King (he played Laurie in Little Women)

Princess Anne (fair-haired female, mid 20s/mid 30s in age): Emilia Clarke (she'd kick some ass!)

Ted Heath (grey-haired male, mid 50s in age): possibly Samuel West (who, it must be noted, has already played Ted Heath, in a drama about the young Thatcher)

Harold Wilson (grey-haired male, mid 50s in age): for some reason I'm thinking Matthew MacFadyen could be good, though he may be too young

James Callaghan (grey-haired male, late 50s in age): Timothy Spall maybe?

Margaret Thatcher (fair-haired female, 50s in age): Jemma Redgrave, Emily Watson, Samantha Bond (who would be my first choice)

That's all I've got for now, though there must be a way to fit Peter Capaldi in as someone's private secretary. Give me your ideas!

[mommybunny]

Aaaargh, one I forget:

Tony Armstrong-Jones (dark-haired male, late 40s/mid 50s in age): Robson Green

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

I thInk the actor who played the Duke of Windsor will make a perfect Charles, but I suppose that won’t work,,,

And I know it’s heresy to admit it, but I actually don’t like Olivia Colman. Not one bit.

[southeastdweller]

Good thread. Think it was me who came up with the Iain Glen suggestion...

[mommybunny]

My assumption Chardonnay is that they won't repeat actors who have already had other roles in the first and second series (though I could be wrong). It might be the case that roles that don't require a lot of screen time actors could reprise their roles from series 1 and 2 (I'm thinking like Greg Wise as Lord Mountbatten, for example).

In any event, for the time period in question I think Alex Jennings is a little too old. For later years, he could be a very good choice.

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

Of course they won’t, I know,

[QueenOfTheAndals]

I thInk the actor who played the Duke of Windsor will make a perfect Charles, but I suppose that won’t work,,,

He played Charles in The Queen but this Charles would call for an actor in his 20s.

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

True that.

[LadyIsabellaWrotham]

I fancy Tobias Menzies for Philip, but from Matt Smith’s comments I think it’ll be someone more high profile.

I’ve been googling all the Hughs (Laurie, Grant and Jackman) but the first two are too old and Jackman surely is too Aussie. Laurie would be good though I think.

[JosBoys]

Imelda Staunton for the Queen Mum is inspired casting. Great suggestion mommy .
Maybe David Tennant for Philip. It would keep all the Doctor Who fans watching after Matt leaves

[PrivateParkin]

Ooh good thread. How about Toby Stephens for Prince Philip? (Although Iain Glen would be good as well.)

[QueenOfTheAndals]

David Tennent would be gimmicky casting with the Dr Who and Broadchurch connections.

[southeastdweller]

I'm struggling to think of any age-appropriate actors who could play the male PM's of the 70's. This is who I have so far:

Tom Wilkinson - Harold Wilson

Phil Davis - James Callaghan

Sam West as Ted Heath is a great suggestion. Heath was only 53 when he came to power and they could grey SW up and give him padding as the episodes progress.

[thenightsky]

Some great suggestions OP, but I do feel Emilia Clark is far too smiley and conventionally pretty to be Anne.

[Scorbus]

Laura Main would be good for Anne (from Call the Midwife)

[QueenOfTheAndals]

Emilia Clark is far too smiley and conventionally pretty to be Anne.

And far too famous and tied up with Game of Thrones filming to take a supporting part in this!

[snozzlemaid]

I'd vote for Tobias Menzies for Phillip too.

[JosBoys]

Someone suggested Mark Rylance for Philip. He would be amazing too.

[southeastdweller]

Another suggestion for Harold Wilson is Roger Allam.

[NancyJoan]

Can we fit Emma Thompson in anywhere?

[mommybunny]

Roger Allam for Harold Wilson is brilliant. I'm also liking Toby Stephens as Prince Philip (though Iain Glen is still my first choice).

Not so keen on David Tennant as Prince Philip - too gimmicky with the Broadchurch/Dr Who connections. Also don't think Mark Rylance is the right actor either.

The prize goes to who can figure out how to deploy Rufus Sewell. Wonder what he'd look like in a blond wig (as Philip, of course)?

[mommybunny]

I tried to think of roles for Emma Thompson NancyJoan but came up with nothing. I suppose she could be considered for Queen Mother, even though she's really too young, because Victoria Hamilton's 13 year age difference with Claire Foy was no obstacle to her taking that role.

[LadyIsabellaWrotham]

Roger Allam and Rufus Sewell are the Lea and Perrins of drama - practically everything can be improved with a dash of either. Do you think Rufus would be good held in reserve as 1990s Charles?

[raisedbyguineapigs]

Iain Glen would be good as Philip or Ralph Fiennes. I agree Tennant would be gimmick casting and much as I love him, don't think he's suit the part. Hes too nice

[rhnireland]

If Olivia coleman is the queen in the next two series perhaps Emma Thomson could replace her for the next casting?

[southeastdweller]

Rufus is too much of a pretty boy to play Charles!