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The Crown season four: First look at Princess Diana and Gillian Anderson’s Margaret Thatcher

Two of the 20th century's most influential women are about to make their presence known.

By Will Stroude

The Crown season four is less than two months away, and a new batch of first-look images give us a close-up look at two of the most influential figures to feature on the Netflix series yet.

The upcoming instalment of Peter Morgan’s award-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabth II’s reign will officially arrive on Netflix on 15 November, as Her Majesty (played by Olivia Colman) witnesses the election of Britain’s first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) and the woman who changed everything for the Royal Family: Diana.

Played by television newcomer Emma Corrin, Lady Diana Spencer’s well-documented personal struggles are already alluded to in the trailer, as the world’s cameras place their focus firmly on the future ‘People’s Princess’.

With Guardians of the Galaxy star Elizabeth Debicki now confirmed to be taking on the role of an older Diana in seasons five and six, the second half of The Crown‘s run looks set to be every bit as riveting as the first.

An official synopsis for season four, which is set largely in the 1980s, reads: “As the 1970s are drawing to a close, Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) and her family find themselves preoccupied with safeguarding the line of succession by securing an appropriate bride for Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor), who is still unmarried at 30.

“As the nation begins to feel the impact of divisive policies introduced by Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson), tensions arise between her and the Queen which only grow worse as Thatcher leads the country into the Falklands War, generating conflict within the Commonwealth.

“While Charles’ romance with a young Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin) provides a much-needed fairytale to unite the British people, behind closed doors, the Royal family is becoming increasingly divided.”

The Crown season 4 premieres on 15 November on Netflix. Check out more first look images and the first teaser below: