The Crown newcomer Imelda Staunton has explained why she thinks she has an extra challenge on her hands when it comes to playing Queen Elizabeth II , compared to predecessors Claire Foy and Olivia Colman .

Imelda is set to portray the Queen in the forthcoming fifth and sixth series of the hit royal drama when it returns to Netflix in 2022.

Speaking about taking over the role in an interview on Mondays edition of Womans Hour , Imelda explained: I think my sort of extra challenge, as if I needed it, is that Im now doing the Queen that were a little more familiar with.

With Claire Foy, [her version of Queen Elizabeth II] was almost history and now Im playing one that people could say she doesnt do that, shes not like that. And thats my personal bte noire for me to deal with.