The Crown season 5 cast is one of the most impressive ensembles currently on television. The drama has a whole new cast playing the Royal Family after a time jump from the fourth season. The new line-up includes Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, and Dominic West as Prince Charles.
The latest season has already garnered a lot of praise in the first reviews and viewers have shared their thoughts on Staunton as the Queen. However, you might be curious to know how exactly the actors match up to their real royal counterparts. We've compiled a deep dive into each of the main stars, including how their heights and ages compare to those of the real Royal Family. So if you've been curious about how the Crown season 5 cast stack up against their real-life subjects, you're in the right place.
The Crown season 5 cast vs. the real Royal Family
Imelda Staunton – Queen Elizabeth II
Height
Imelda Staunton: 5ft
Queen Elizabeth II: 5ft 3in
Age
Imelda Staunton: 66
Queen Elizabeth II: 66-71
Award-winning actor Imelda Staunton plays Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown season 5, during which the monarch sees three of her children’s divorces over the span of 10 episodes. There's also the constant questioning over the relevancy of the monarchy. Staunton has been a staple of stage and screen since she began acting in the 1980s. She was Oscar-nominated for Vera Drake and is recognizable for playing the chilling Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films.
Jonathan Pryce – Prince Philip
Height
Jonathan Pryce: 6ft
Prince Philip: 6ft
Age
Jonathan Pryce: 75
Prince Philip: 71-76
Pryce takes over from Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh. This season sees him indulging in a new hobby, carriage riding, as he fosters a close friendship with Penny Knatchbull. Pryce is an acclaimed thespian, beginning his career in the ‘70s in the theater, before breaking into film with Brazil in 1985. Viewers may also recognize him from Game of Thrones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Evita, and The Age of Innocence. In 2019, he was nominated for an Oscar for Netflix’s The Two Popes.
Dominic West – Prince Charles
Height
Dominic West: 6ft
Prince Charles: 5ft 10in
Age
Dominic West: 53
Prince Charles: 44-49
West plays Prince Charles in a turbulent period of his life during the latest season of The Crown. The show focuses on his divorce from Diana, hopes to modernize the monarchy, and his continuing relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles. West is probably best known for his role in HBO’s The Wire, as well as being one of the leads of The Affair.
Elizabeth Debicki – Princess Diana
Height
Elizabeth Debicki: 6ft 3in
Princess Diana: 5ft 10in
Age
Elizabeth Debicki: 32
Princess Diana: 31-36
Australian actor Debicki takes over as Princess Diana from Emma Corrin. The show follows her divorce from Prince Charles as she reconciles with finding new love as well as navigating telling her side of the story. Debicki first gained acclaim as Jordan Baker in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, and has since appeared in Widows, Tenet and The Night Manager.
Lesley Manville – Princess Margaret
Height
Lesley Manville: 5ft 2in
Princess Margaret: 5ft 1in
Age
Lesley Manville: 66
Princess Margaret: 62-67
The third actor to take on the role of the indomitable Princess Margaret is Manville. In season 5, she and her sister are closer and more reliant on each other than previous seasons, aside from when old wounds resurface. Manville began her career in the 1970s and is well known for her collaboration with director Mike Leigh on films like Another Year, Vera Drake, and Grown-Ups. She was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Phantom Thread in 2017.
Olivia Williams – Camilla Parker Bowles
Height
Olivia Williams: 5ft 9in
Camilla Parker Bowles: 5ft 8in
Age
Olivia Williams: 54
Camilla Parker Bowles: 45-50
Williams plays Camilla Parker Bowles in the latest season as she and Charles navigate pursuing their relationship while his marriage to Diana breaks down. She soon finds herself thrust into the limelight as she must deal with her new position in the Royal Family. Williams is known for her roles in An Education, The Ghost Writer and Counterpart.
Jonny Lee Miller – John Major
Height
Jonny Lee Miller: 5ft 9in
John Major: 6ft
Age
Jonny Lee Miller: 49
John Major: 49-54
Miller plays Prime Minster John Major, who was Margaret Thatcher’s successor as head of the Conservative Party. He was in office until May 1997 when Tony Blair took over. Miller is best known for playing Sherlock Holmes in Elementary, but has also had roles in Hackers, Trainspotting, and Afterglow.
For more on acclaimed historical drama, check out our breakdown of The Crown season 5 ending, The Crown season 5 guest cast, returning The Crown cast in season 5, The Crown season 5 episode count and information, and everything we know so far about The Crown season 6. For what else to watch, check out our guides to the best Netflix shows and best Netflix movies.
