Producers of the popular Netflix series, The Crown, are facing a major setback as they try to cast season 6. According to reports from The Sun, Gillian Anderson, who played the role of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has declined to reprise her role in the upcoming season.
Despite winning an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Thatcher in season 4, Anderson has cited “scheduling issues” as the reason for her unavailability for season 6.
The Sun’s sources revealed that Anderson’s absence has caused significant issues behind the scenes, with a production insider calling it a “blow” to the show. Anderson’s portrayal of Thatcher was critically acclaimed, making her an asset to the show.
To work around Anderson’s absence, the show’s scripts have been altered to avoid any significant disruptions to the storyline. The original script was set to include a dinner attended by Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Thatcher, and Princess Anne. However, due to Anderson’s absence, the dinner has been replaced with a different event.
The Crown was created and written by Peter Morgan, who happens to be Anderson’s ex-partner. The two were in a relationship for four years until 2020, sparking rumors of a rekindled romance earlier this year.
Despite Anderson’s absence, the upcoming season of The Crown is highly anticipated. It will see the return of Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana in scenes depicting the year of the late Princess’s death. With the show’s popularity, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the final season.