Changing The Crown actors every 2 years is 'really clever'

Season two ofthe acclaimed series The Crowndepicts the British Royal Family in a time of conflict both inside and outside the palace with growing social revolution a metaphor for the personal struggles facing the Royals.

"Philip goes on tour and wrestles with his inner demons, and so does Margaret," VanessaKirby, who plays Princess Margaret on the series, told CBC News during an interview in Los Angeles.

Actors from The Crown sit down for a playful interview with CBC's Zulekha Nathoo

7 years ago

Duration 1:49

Matt Smith and Vanessa Kirby discuss Season 2 of the acclaimed Netflix series about the Royal Family

The result is a sequence of defining momentsfrom the 1950s and 1960s whirlwind historical snapshots involvingthe Suez crisis, Ghana's callforindependence and the allure of the Kennedys intertwined with intimate depictions of marital struggles, sibling rivalryand infidelity.

"You see the whole set up to the characters in the first season, and season two has given us an opportunity to really go deeper," Kirby said.

The intense interest with which royal watchers,tabloids and even bookies have followed Prince Harry's romance with now-fiance Meghan Markle,in addition to the news of baby number three for Prince William andKate, is proof of an insatiableroyal fascination.

Soeven thoughmany of its private conversations are dramatized,The Crownseems to offer a grounded glimpse into a world most of us would otherwise neverknow.

The show, which stars ClaireFoyas Queen Elizabeth II and Matt Smith as Prince Philip in their younger days, has been a hit with critics. The first season won a 2017 Golden Globefor best drama series, while Foytook home the award for best actress in aTV drama.

But that doesn't mean she's sticking around.

Though The Crown has been renewed for a third season, Foy, 33, and Smith, 35, are beingreplaced rather than agedto fit the next era.OliviaColman, known for her roles in The Lobster and The Night Manager, will take over duties asthe Queen.

The turnover is welcome, Smith noted, since "it'svery difficult to retain an actor who's interested over six seasons."

"I think it's a good thing for the show, though, for the longevity of the show," he continued.

"If this show is to work in the way that I think it could, changing the actors every twoyears is a really clever idea."

The Crown's second season premieres on Netflix on Dec. 8.