Jonny Lee Miller is to play former Prime Minister John Major in the upcoming fifth season of The Crown, Netflix has announced.
The Trainspotting and Elementary star will be one of the central figures in the next season of the royal epic, which will chart The Queen's reign through the 1990s.
Major served as Prime Minister between 1990 and 1997, succeeding Margaret Thatcher, and became known for his straight-laced demeanour.
"It may seem like an unlikely casting as the two men couldn't be more different, but the creators of The Crown aren't interested in an actor playing a version of themselves," a source told The Sun.
"It was a similar idea to when Sex Education star Gillian Anderson was cast as Margaret Thatcher in the last series of The Crown, a decision which surprised fans of the show at the time.
"But at 48, Jonny is actually the perfect age to play Sir John, who became PM at the age of 47 after Maggie was removed from power."
The fifth season - due for release in autumn 2022 - will see Imelda Staunton taking over as the ageing monarch, with Jonathan Pryce portraying the late Prince Philip and Dominic West taking on the role of Prince Charles.
Jonny Lee Miller will play John Major in the fifth season of The Crown. pic.twitter.com/woMcTQtUmb
— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) June 25, 2021
Neil Wilkes
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