For its third series, Netflix’s hit royal drama The Crown is taking a major risk – overhauling the entire cast to continue its sweeping look at several decades of the British monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II. Of course, it’s less of a risk when you consider they’re bringing in the likes of the beloved Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter for the next generation of the story, but Claire Foy, Vanessa Kirby and Matt Smith have all hung up their fineries. As well as older versions of Elizabeth, Philip, and Margaret, the new series will include more of a focus on the younger generation of royals. As seen in the upcoming new issue of Empire, here’s a first look at a young Camilla Parker Bowles (then Camilla Shand) and Prince Charles, played by Emerald Fennell and Josh O’Connor.
Fennell is perhaps best known for her recurring role in the BBC’s hit period drama Call The Midwife, where she played Nurse Patsy Mount across several seasons – and more recently, she was brought in as showrunner on Killing Eve Season 2 by series creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge. O’Connor had his break-out in the brilliant God’s Own Country, and followed that up this year in the critically-acclaimed Only You.
Read more about The Crown Season 3 – including Olivia Colman on the tall order of replacing Claire Foy – in the Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker issue of Empire, arriving on newsstands on Thursday 3 October