The first image of Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in the upcoming season of The Crown dropped on Monday and now the hit Netflix series has finally given fans what they’ve been waiting for — a first look at Helena Bonham Carter as the British monarch’s rebellious younger sister Princess Margaret.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting a sneak peek of the upcoming third season after producers announced an entire new cast would take on the roles of the lead characters as the show will jump ahead to the 1970s in the next instalment. Carter will take the reigns from actress Vanessa Kirby, who brilliantly played the Princess in seasons one and two.
The first solo shot, which shows the actress in character and holding a lit cigarette in her left hand, was shared on the show’s official Twitter account on Wednesday with the caption “Hope”.
Fans were quick to comment, congratulating Carter on her new role. “I can’t wait to see Helena’s performance as Margaret. She’ll do Vanessa Kirby proud,” one commentator wrote. Another added: “Helena Bonham Carter is my favourite”.
The British actress, best known for her roles in The King’s Speech and the Harry Potter franchise, spoke about her excitement at playing Princess Margaret when her casting was first announced back in April.
“I’m not sure which I’m more terrified about — doing justice to the real Princess Margaret or following in the shoes of Vanessa Kirby’s Princess Margaret,” she said. “The only thing I can guarantee is that I’ll be shorter than Vanessa.”
Netflix also released the first photo of Ben Daniels, who is replacing Matthew Goode as Margaret’s husband Antony Armstrong-Jones, also known as Lord Snowdon.
The third season which is currently in production, is expected to hit screens in 2019. The show will pick up where season two left off in 1964 and will cover Queen Elizabeth’s life through the early 1970’s.
The Golden Globe-winning series has captivated audiences since its premiere, in large part for its warts-and-all account of the British royal family’s personal lives and its gripping portrayal of the historical events that catapulted the monarchy into the 20th century, such as the first televised Queen’s Christmas Day speech and Prince Philip’s first solo royal tour.