Olivia Colman has admitted that she frets over what the Queen thinks of her portrayal on Netflix hit The Crown.
The actress, 46, confessed there is added ‘pressure’ when your character is still alive and they are able to watch your version of them on screen.
Olivia joked that she is concerned that if Queen Elizabeth II watches series three of the show she might switch over if she doesn’t approve.
All smiles: Olivia Colman has admitted that she frets over what the Queen thinks of her portrayal on Netflix hit The Crown
She told the Mirror: ‘There is much more pressure when you’re playing someone who is still living, and you have this fear that they’re watching it and won’t like it.
‘You’re thinking, “Oh my God, what if Queen Elizabeth II watches the series and sees me? Perhaps she will think that my interpretation is completely wrong. She’s going to change channels.”
Olivia also admitted that it is challenging to play someone so well known by viewers, as they have something to compare your performance to.
Feeling the pressure: The actress, 46, confessed there is added ‘pressure’ when your character is still alive and they are able to watch your version of them on screen
The star bagged an Oscar for her role of Queen Anne in the favourite and she admitted that she preferred it because nobody could judge her portrayal.
‘The beauty of Queen Anne is that no one can tell me she didn’t sound like that, but everyone can tell me what the Queen sounds like, and that’s slightly annoying.’
She said: ‘The beauty of Queen Anne is that no one can tell me she didn’t sound like that, but everyone can tell me what the Queen sounds like, and that’s slightly annoying.’
Switching off! Olivia joked that she is concerned that if Queen Elizabeth II watches series three of the show she might switch over if she doesn’t approve (pictured in 2019)
Award-winning: Oscar-winner Olivia (L) plays Queen Elizabeth II (pictured right in 1964) in series three and four of The Crown
Olivia revealed she has never joined a show before when it has been in the height of its’ success, but because she was such a big fan she didn’t hesitate.
Although fans are eagerly awaiting to start of season four, it was recently reported that the fifth series of The Crown reportedly won’t be released until 2022.
The premiere has been delayed because producers are said to want a filming break, meaning filming won’t start until June 2021.
Exciting: Earlier this month, it was announced The Crown will run for six series instead of five
Royally good: Imelda is to play the Queen in The Crown’s final two series. The 64-year-old will take over the role of Elizabeth II for seasons five and six of the Netflix drama
Series 5 will see Imelda Staunton, 64, take over the role as Queen Elizabeth II from Olivia Colman, while Leslie Manville, 64, will portray Princess Margaret.
Deadline reports the postponement of filming is not due to the coronavirus pandemic but because of the complexity of studio and set-piece location shoots for the era of the series.
A similar break was taken between series two and three of The Crown, which saw Claire Foy, 36, hand over the reins to Olivia, 46.
Portrayal: The star, who is believed to have been producers first choice for the role, is set to play the Queen’s younger sister during one of the ‘darkest periods of her life’ (pictured 1995)
The fifth instalment is thought to begin in the early nineties and end in the early noughties, with writer Peter Morgan saying Staunton would be ‘taking The Crown into the 21st century’.
There are several poignant moments during the decade, which include the Queen making a speech on her 40th anniversary of her accession in 1992, in which she called the year an ‘annus horriblis’.
She was referring to the breakdown of three of her children’s marriages; Prince Andrew, Princess Anne’s and Prince Charles’ divorce from Princess Diana.
Congrats! Lesley Manville has been cast as Princess Margaret (right in 1966) for the fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown
Other noteable events during the time period included a fire at Windsor Castle, her golden wedding anniversary in 1997, and the deaths of Princess Margaret, the Queen Mother and the Princess of Wales.
It comes after it was announced The Crown will run for six series instead of five.
Creator Peter revealed he decided to ‘return to the original plan,’ meaning Imelda Staunton will now appear for two series as an older Queen Elizabeth II.
Producers decided to a U-turn after their January announcement The Crown would end after its fifth series, with series four, starring Olivia as The Queen, expected to air later this year.
Delay: The fifth series of The Crown reportedly won’t be released until 2022 (pictured Imelda Staunton ,who will take on the role of Queen Elizabeth II, in October 2019)
Peter said: ‘As we started to discuss the storylines for Series 5, it soon became clear that in order to do justice to the richness and complexity of the story we should go back to the original plan and do six seasons.’
The news was announced by Netflix on their Twitter account, as they wrote: ‘News from the palace: we can confirm there will be a sixth (and final) season of @TheCrownNetflix, in addition to the previously announced five!’
The streaming service then clarified fans will still have one more series featuring the current cast, with an older range of stars taking over in series five.