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The Crown Season 5: Who is U.K. Prime Minister John Major?

By Mads Lennon

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Actor Jonny Lee Miller attends the "Elementary" panel during 2013 PaleyFest: Made In New York at The Paley Center for Media on October 5, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Actor Jonny Lee Miller attends the "Elementary" panel during 2013 PaleyFest: Made In New York at The Paley Center for Media on October 5, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images) /
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Earlier today, Netflix announced that Sherlock Holmes himself, Jonny Lee Miller, had been cast in the role of John Major in The Crown Season 5.

While Miller is no stranger to period dramas—he previously starred in the BBC series Emma and Mansfield Park—the 48-year-old actor is probably best known for his work as a modern-day version of the world’s greatest detective in the CBS procedural Elementary, where he starred alongside Lucy Liu.

Next, he’ll portray a U.K. Prime Minister in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Netflix drama. According to an earlier report from Variety, filming on the new season is supposed to start next month at Elstree Studios, with a premiere date set for sometime in 2022.

The Crown Season 5 will have a new cast as it moves forward in time since series creator Peter Morgan uses prime ministers to plot the timeframe. Major served as the prime minister for seven years, beginning in 1990.

The cast for the next season includes Imelda Staunton plays Queen Elizabeth, Lesley Manville is Princess Margaret, Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Philip, and Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana.

Deadline notes that the fifth season will reportedly include “Princess Diana’s bombshell BBC Panorama interview, which has made headlines in recent weeks after an inquiry revealed the full scale of reporter Martin Bashir’s deceit in securing the scoop.”

The Crown Season 5: Who is U.K. Prime Minister John Major?

A British politician, Sir John Major, was the Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1990 to 1997, succeeding Margaret Thatcher. He also served in Thatcher’s government for several years as Chancellor of the Exchequer and Foreign Secretary and was a Member of Parliament. His subdued personality and mild-mannered style made him a stark contrast from Thatcher.

He has been depicted on screen in various films over the years, including 2011’s The Iron Lady. He was also briefly played by Marc Ozall in The Crown Season 4 during one episode.

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What do you think about Jonny Lee Miller’s casting as U.K. Prime Minister John Major in The Crown Season 5? Do you think he’s a good choice for portraying Major? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

You can revisit the first four seasons of The Crown anytime on Netflix. The Crown Season 5 is expected to premiere in 2022.

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