Gillian Anderson Is Officially Playing Margaret Thatcher in 'The Crown'
Has a piece of casting news for The Crown ever let us down?
Fans of Netflix's near-perfect chronicle of Queen Elizabeth's reign are in for a treat, as it's now been confirmed that Gillian Anderson is definitely playing Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Season 4. Variety previously reported the news (via The Sunday Times) that Gillian Anderson had been hired to play Britain's first female prime minister in the Netflix hit.
Anderson confirmed the news via The Crown's official Twitter account. She explained, "I am so excited to be joining the cast and crew of The Crown and to have the opportunity to portray such a complicated and controversial woman. Thatcher was undoubtedly formidable but I am relishing exploring beneath the surface and, dare I say, falling in love with the icon who, whether loved or despised, defined an era."
Gillian Anderson will play Margaret Thatcher in The Crown Season Four, now in production. pic.twitter.com/OVCO8o2bVk
— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) September 7, 2019
Queen Elizabeth's relationships with Britain's prime ministers have always been a cornerstone of the show, but her dynamic with Thatcher—who was elected as the UK's first female prime minister in 1979—was particularly complicated, and often described as fraught on both sides.
Per the Daily Mail, Thatcher is expected to make her debut in the show at the end of the fourth season, appearing as the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. Thatcher took office as prime minister on May 4, 1979, and served 11 years—the longest of any British prime minister in the twentieth century.
The show's entire cast has been replaced following the end of Season 2, to allow for the large passage of time: Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter, and Tobias Menzies will take over the roles of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and Prince Philip respectively.
Season 3 will introduce Prime Minister Harold Wilson (Jason Watkins), a Labour politician who served two non-consecutive terms in the 1960s and 1970s. The London Times has also reported that Season 3 will cover "the Wilson era" while Season 4 will focus on Thatcher.
You Might Also Like
