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It’s Official: Gillian Anderson Will Play Margaret Thatcher in Netflix’s ‘The Crown’

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Meet your Iron Lady, Netflix fans.

The cast of The Crown has a new prime minister in town, and we finally know who’s going to play her. Gillian Anderson has officially signed on to Netflix’s royal-family drama as Margaret Thatcher, the streaming service announced via Twitter.

The Sex Education actress will definitely star in season four, and most likely star in the upcoming season three of the show, as head of U.K. parliament. Thatcher served as the country's first female P.M. from 1979 to 1990, after James Callaghan. Prime Minister Harold Wilson preceded Callaghan and will be played by Jason Watkins in season three of The Crown, which premieres on November 17.

Season one takes place in the late ’40s and early ’50s, and season two takes place in the ’50s and early ’60s. Season three will center on the years 1964 to 1976, though we're thinking we may get a glimpse of Anderson's Thatcher at the very end of the third season, since she became head of the Conservative party in 1975. 

“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,” Anderson said in a statement. “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.”

The Favourites Olivia Colman is taking over Claire Foys role as Queen Elizabeth II for the Netflix show’s junior season, while Tobias Menzies of Outlander will be the new Prince Philip. Helena Bonham Carter is set to play Princess Margaret, while her hunky photographer husband, Anthony Armstrong-Jones, will be portrayed by Ben Daniels. Erin Doherty will star as Princess Anne.

Fingers crossed we see that immaculately coiffed ginger ’do soon.

Sorry, Guys Princess Diana Isn’t in ‘The Crown’ Season 3



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