Netflix have released the trailer for the brand new and highly-anticipated season of The Crown. In its fifth instalment the royal drama will see Harry Potter and Downton Abbey star Imelda Staunton take over the reigns from season three and four's Olivia Colman, to play Queen Elizabeth II.
The season, which is set to launch on the streaming service on November 9, will start in a new decade - the 1990s - with the Queen approaching the 40th anniversary of her accession. Netflix have teased that during this fifth season the Royal Family will be "presented with possibly their biggest challenge to date; as the public openly question their role in '90s Britain".
The over two-minute-long trailer starts with a voiceover of Imelda as the Queen saying: "In light of the events of the last 12 months, perhaps I have more to reflect on than most" whilst she can be seen stood amongst the remains of a fire. It also pays note to the media attention surrounding the family during the divorce between Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
A voiceover then says: “The House of Windsor should be binding the nation together, setting an example of idealised family life. It’s a situation that can’t help but affect the stability of the country.”
It also shows Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, who is taking on the role from season four star Emma Corrin, as Princess Diana. Meanwhile Dominic West is seen playing the then-Prince Charles, replacing season three and four's Josh O'Connor, with him saying: "For years I've called for a more modern monarchy that reflects the world outside" with the Queen telling him: "You, as future King, have a duty."
The character Diana can be heard saying: "People will never understand how it's really been for me. I never stood a chance". The trailer finally ends with the Queen asking: "How did it comes to this?".
An official synopsis from Netflix reads: "As Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) approaches the 40th anniversary of her accession, she reflects on a reign that has encompassed nine prime ministers, the advent of mass television and the twilight of the British Empire. Yet new challenges are on the horizon. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the transfer of sovereignty in Hong Kong signals a seismic shift in the international order presenting both obstacles and opportunities. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing closer to home.
"Prince Charles (Dominic West) pressures his mother to allow him to divorce Diana (Elizabeth Debicki), presenting a constitutional crisis of the monarchy," It continues: "Rumours circulate as husband and wife are seen to live increasingly separate lives and, as media scrutiny intensifies, Diana decides to take control of her own narrative, breaking with family protocol to publish a book that undermines public support for Charles and exposes the cracks in the House of Windsor.
"Tensions are set to rise further as Mohamed Al Fayed (Salim Daw) arrives on the scene. Driven by his desire for acceptance of the highest order, he harnesses his self-made wealth and power to try and earn him and his son Dodi (Khalid Abdalla) a seat at the royal table."
You can stream seasons one to four of The Crown on Netflix now ahead of season five's release. The new instalment will be available to watch on Netflix from Wednesday, November 9.
