The Crown season 3: Netflix reveals release date and footage for Olivia Colman's debut as Queen Elizabeth II

Tobias Menzies also joins the third series of the royal hit as Prince Phillip

Netflix has finally revealed the release date for the long-awaited third season of The Crown, alongside the first footage of Olivia Colman in character as Queen Elizabeth II.

The hit royal drama will return to screens on 17 November 2019, and will also see Tobias Menzies replace Matt Smith as Prince Phillip.

Joining Menzies and Colman for season three are Helena Bonham Carter, Josh O’Connor, Jason Watkins, and Erin Doherty.

Showrunner Peter Morgan has previously spoken about the recasting, saying that new actors will be brought on every two seasons.

“You can’t ask someone to act middle-aged,” he said. “Someone has to bring their own fatigue to it. The feelings we all have as 50-year-olds are different than the feelings we all have as 30-year-olds.”

The Crown returns to Netflix on 17 November 2019