Princess Diana's storyline will be included
Princess Diana will be played by British actress Emma Corrin.
"Beyond excited and honoured to be joining The Crown for its fourth season," Corrin said in a statement released by Netflix.
"I have been glued to the show since the first episode and to think I'm now joining this incredibly talented acting family is just surreal. Princess Diana was an icon, and her effect on the world remains profound and inspiring. To be given the chance to explore her through Peter Morgan’s writing is the most exceptional opportunity, and I will strive to do her justice!”
And from the sounds of the the cast and crew's reaction to her wearing a replica of Princess Diana's wedding dress, she did. In early September 2020, Corrin opened up about what it was like to wear the recreated wedding dress made by the original gown's actual designers.
"The Emanuels, who designed the original, gave us the patterns, and then it was made for me," Corrin said. "We were filming the scene when you first see her in the wedding dress—I think it was Lancaster House in London—and I had a team of about 10 people helping me put it on, because it's massive."
However, once Corrin finally stepped out in her full costume, the room was speechless. "I walked out and everyone went completely silent," she said.
Following countless paparazzi photos that had been circulating social media for months, Netflix finally released official photos of Corrin as Princess Diana on September 29, 2020. In the first, the up-and-coming actress looked every bit like Diana in a strapless purple gown and feathery blonde bob, arriving at a red carpet event.
The streaming giant also released two additional of Corrin as part of a carousel of new promotional pictures shared to their page Netflix Queue on Instagram. In them, Corrin can be seen wearing a pastel yellow skirt suit as she comes face-to-face with Emerald Fennell, who plays Camilla Parker Bowles.
Gillian Anderson will play Margaret Thatcher
Anderson confirmed her role in season 4 via the official The Crown Twitter account, writing in a statement, "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." "
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."
Prince Charles will play a major role in season 4
Josh O'Connor, who joined as the role of Prince Charles in season 3, has hinted at the Prince of Wales being a key storyline going forwards.
"I think this [season], you're right, it's very much the Diana and Charles years, and particularly focusing on what happened there and the ramifications of that going forward," he told Vulture.
The Crown will come to an end after season 6
Although the show had been slated finish after five seasons, creator Peter Morgan surprised fans when he announced in July 2020 that The Crown season 6 was happening.
"As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons," creator Peter Morgan said in a statement, per Deadline.
"To be clear, Series 6 will not bring us any closer to present-day - it will simply enable us to cover the same period in greater detail," he said.
There is an official trailer for The Crown season 4
On October 29, 2020, Netflix has released a full-length versio of The Crown season 4 trailer, giving fans the first proper glimpse into how the royal drama will unfold. Setting the ominous tone for the relationship between Emma Corrin's' Princess Diana and Josh O'Connor's Prince Charles, it foreshadows the real-life breakdown of the couple's marriage.
WATCH BELOW: The Crown season four teaser trailer
Season 4 of The Crown has a 2020 release date
Rejoice! The fourth season of The Crown is slated to premiere on Netflix Australia on November 15th. Mark your diaries!