Viola Pettejohn delivers one of the most memorable performances of The Crown’s sixth season. The 20-year-old actress has received rave reviews for her portrayal of a young Elizabeth Windsor in the final instalment of the epic Netflix show.
In flashback scenes that show the Queen as a teenager, Viola manages to capture a more carefree (and even a little rebellious) side of Her Majesty, before she had the weight of the country on her shoulders. In ‘The Ritz’ (episode 8) we see Elizabeth enjoy a rare night out with sister Margaret, sneaking out of Buckingham Palace to join the crowds for the 1945 VE Day celebrations that marked the end of the war. With The Crown described by show creator Peter Morgan as ‘a love letter to the Queen’ this insightful portrayal of a young Elizabeth is particularly poignant during the closing chapter of the series.
