And as much as Claire was loved by fans, the show’s creator Peter Morgan felt the role of a 50-year-old Queen needed someone with more life experiences. "You can't ask someone to act middle-aged. Someone has to bring their own fatigue to it. The feelings we all have as 50-year-olds are different than the feelings we all have as 30-year-olds. That informs everything we do."
Other changings of the guards include Helena Bonham Carter, who is replacing Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret; and Tobias Menzies (from Outlander and Game of Thrones) is stepping into Matt Smith’s role of Prince Philip.
One of the key story lines in this season will be the introduction of Camilla Shand, who will be played by Call the Midwife's Emerald Fennell.
There are rumours that Princess Diana (who will be played by Emma Corrin) may make her debut towards the end of the season, although it’s more likely that we will have to wait until season four.
The third series will air on Netflix on the 17th of November.