Netflix has announced that the fifth season will be the last for 'The Crown' and they have revealed who will play Queen Elizabeth for her final outing.

It's set to be veteran British actress Imelda Staunton taking on the role. Staunton received an Oscar nomination for leading the cast in the 2004 drama 'Vera Drake' and is also known for playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films. She said of the new role: "I have loved watching 'The Crown' from the very start. As an actor it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan’s scripts. I am genuinely honoured to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking 'The Crown' to its conclusion."

The casting news also comes with the announcement that the show will end after season 5, meaning all our homes and dreams of Meghan Markle one day playing herself has been squashed.

'The Crown' showrunner Peter Morgan said: "I’m absolutely thrilled to confirm Imelda Staunton as Her Majesty The Queen for the fifth and final season, taking 'The Crown' into the 21st century. Imelda is an astonishing talent and will be a fantastic successor to Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.

"At the outset I had imagined 'The Crown' running for six seasons but now that we have begun work on the stories for season five it has become clear to me that this is the perfect time and place to stop. I’m grateful to Netflix and Sony for supporting me in this decision."

Cindy Holland, Netflix vice-president of original content, said: "I fully support Peter Morgan’s creative decision and am excited to see how he, Imelda Staunton and the cast and crew of season five bring this landmark series to a fitting and spectacular end."