Excitement as THIS Game of Thrones star joins The Crown as the new Prince Philip

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Prince Philip will be played by a new actor in series five and six of The Crown...

It has been revealed that actor Jonathan Pryce has been cast to play the role of Prince Philip in seasons five and six of The Crown.

The news that Jonathan will be taking over from Tobias Menzies in the role was announced on Netflix' Twitter page today.

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Jonathan is well-known to TV fans as the High Sparrow in Game of Thrones.

He will star opposite Harry Potter star Imelda Staunton, who has been cast as the next Queen Elizabeth II, taking over the role from Olivia Colman.

Another change for season five and six will see Lesley Manville take over the role of Princess Margaret from Helena Bonham Carter.

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Philip through the years 

Tobias Menzies played Philip in the third season, and also in the eagerly anticipated fourth season which has already been filmed.

Former Doctor Who star Matt Smith played Philip in the first and second season opposite Clair Foy in the role of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth II in seasons one and two of The Crown (Picture: Netflix) (Image credit: Netflix)

Fans are still waiting for the release date of season four to be announced, eager to see Olivia Coleman, Tobias Menzies and Helena Bonham Carter reprising their royal roles.

Season four will also introduce Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Emma Corrin as Lady Diana Spencer.

Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies as the Queen and Prince Philip in The Crown season three

Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies as the Queen and Prince Philip in The Crown season three (Picture: Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix) (Image credit: Sophie Mutevelian)

While The Crown was originally meant to be made up of five seasons, it was announced earlier this year that there would in fact be six seasons of the drama.

It was also announced last month that filming of season five has been delayed due to a production break.

Season five is now expected to air in 2022.

Seasons 1-3 of The Crown are available on Netflix now. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.