Being an icon of British culture it comes as no surprise that many TV shows and films have been made about Queen Elizabeth II, her family, and her life. From Netflix dramas such as The Crown to films like The Queen, many famous actresses have taken on the role.
There were many things to master about playing the Queen from nailing the accent, the Royal wave, and her completely unreadable yet friendly facial expressions. It is not just the Queen who has been portrayed on screen, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles - now the King - and Princess Diana have all also featured in different dramas and films. Here are the actresses who have famously played the Queen.
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Dame Helen Mirren: In the 2006 film The Queen, the British biographical film that showed the events for the Royal Family after Princess Diana's death, Dame Helen Mirren won an Oscar and a BAFTA for her portrayal of the monarch. Dame Helen went on to play the Queen again in the theatre show The Audience, a play that centres on the weekly meetings and audiences the Queen has with her Prime Ministers.
Kristin Scott Thomas: British actress Kristin Scott Thomas, who is known for starring in Four Weddings and a Funeral, also played the Queen in The Audience. She played the role in 2015, taking over from Dame Helen.
Emma Thompson: Another famous British actress to play the Queen is Emma Thompson in Walking the Dogs. This film covers the 1982 break-in at Buckingham Palace where the Queen came face to face with intruder Michael Fagan.
Sarah Gadon: Playing Queen Elizabeth in her younger years is Sarah Gadon in A Royal Night Out. This 2015 rom-com follows the Queen as Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret as they leave Buckingham Palace to enjoy the VE Day celebrations.
Neve Campbell: Neve Campbell starred as the younger Queen Elizabeth in the 2004 comedy film Churchill: The Hollywood Years. Neve is best known for her work in drama and horror films and TV shows.
Barbara Flynn, Samantha Bond, Emilia Fox, Susan Jameson, Diana Quick: All these actresses played the Queen in different stages of her life in the Channel 4 drama The Queen.
Jeannette Charles: Jeanette Charles has spent most of her life portraying the Queen as a lookalike actress. She has starred in Austin Powers in Goldmember, The Parent Trap and All You Need Is Cash as the Queen.
Claire Foy: Stepping into the role of a young and new Queen was Claire Foy for the hit Netflix series The Crown. Claire has gone on to continue to play British aristocracy in A Very British Scandal.
Olivia Colman: Taking over from Claire was Olivia Colman who played an older Queen in later series of The Crown. Olivia has also played Queen Anne in The Favourite and has starred in Hot Fuzz and the Netflix series Heartstopper.
Imelda Staunton: Although her series of The Crown has not yet aired, Imelda Staunton is set to play Queen Elizabeth in the latest instalments. She is best known for her roles in Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland.
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