The runaway success of Netflix’s The Crown after only one season cemented its future firmly in stone but one question arose: who would replace Claire Foy?  The actress plays the younger version of Queen Elizabeth the II in the first two seasons and we learned this summer that she would replaced by an older actress for the next season

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Foy has returned for the second season, which is to be available to stream from December, but it has now been announced that The Night Manager and Broadchurch actress Olivia Colman is set to take over the role in seasons 3 and 4.

According to Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, the plan is to have the period drama run for six seasons following the Queen’s story throughout her whole life – each season representing a decade. As a result, the plan has always been to shake up the casting every two seasons with older actors taking on the roles. Foy was only ever set to play the young Queen for two seasons.

The second season of the show will pick up the story ten years into Elizabeth II’s reign and focus on the pressure of the job, particularly on Prince Phillip.

At a recent press conference for Breath at the London Film Festival, Claire Foy teased a room full of journalists about who would be replacing her. Watch the video below.

Joining the cast for the new season are Matthew Goode as Lord Snowdon, Dexter’s Michael C Hall, who is playing John F Kennedy along with Jodi Balfour who will portray Jackie Onassis.

The Crown” returns to the streaming service on December 8th.