Six seasons, three queens. Netflix’ The Crown artfully crafted a highly-discussed show, along with the genius of Peter Morgan, unfolding against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign. The journey began with a youthful 21-year-old Elizabeth, who was just about to marry Philip Mountbatten. And it drew its curtain with an elderly Queen Elizabeth standing before her coffin with the royal standard, regalia, and flowers, just like it happened in real life. To authentically capture the passage of time, the makers made a deliberate choice to avoid artificial aging techniques. 

This led to the recasting of the actresses of Queen Elizabeth thrice. While each brought their distinctive flair to the role, one actress, in particular, subtly rose above the others. Stick around for the rundown and find out who owned the role the best!

Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in Seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown

Olivia Colman stepped into the shoes of Queen Elizabeth in her late 30s, a time when she had already traded her girlish dreams for dealing with serious matters like the 1966 mining disaster in Aberfan and Princess Margaret’s 1978 divorce. Playing the Queen at this juncture demanded a blend of both gravitas and a lively charm. Colman, being an Oscar-winning actress, gave her best shot at the role for two seasons. 

Many fans of The Crown, however, felt that she came off as detached, stern, or emotionally harsh. This was a stark departure from the previous seasons, where the queen was timid and lovely. The audience had expected a kinder portrayal of the queen and Colman’s character fell short, drawing criticism for her mannerisms, countenance, and speech.

These subtle nuances collectively positioned Olivia Colman as the least favorite Queen among the majority of Netflix original fans. 

Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth in Season 5 and 6

Imelda Staunton portrayed Queen Elizabeth in the final chapters of her life. Even though the final season focused more on Princess Diana and her divorce from the Prince of Wales, Staunton did not let the shine dim from her character. She not only portrayed a strong queen, but also captured the queen’s vulnerability and apprehension about becoming obsolete in a changing society. Despite delivering an impressive performance, a standout from Staunton’s past kept her from securing the top spot on this list.

Imelda Staunton’s portrayal of Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter movie is etched in memory as one of her standout performances. The lasting impact of this portrayal made it difficult for fans of The Crown to see her in a different light. As a result, her casting as the Queen in The Crown Season 5 received a lukewarm reaction compared to those who came before her.

Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in Seasons 1 and 2

Keep those drums rolling as we reveal the champion. And ‘The Crown’ goes to the very first Queen Elizabeth, Claire Foy! Claire Foy stepped into the shoes of Queen Elizabeth during a time when the parliament was steeped in patriarchy. What truly made her the most favored among the three queens was her ability to bring to light a less explored side of the monarch. This was an era that lacked the availability of firsthand records like television interviews and news footage. Therefore, Claire Foy’s portrayal of the Queen was extremely intriguing to the general public. 

She portrayed Queen Elizabeth in the formative years of her as a monarch. It was also a time when the Queen navigated the challenges of adjusting to a setting that constantly underestimated her capacity to lead a monarchy. Such depiction required a lot of emotional work from Foy, which she delivered tastefully. This, in particular, made her the most favorite Queen Elizabeth throughout the six seasons of The Crown. 

What do you think about our list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!