Series creator Peter Morgan explains in a new interview why there will only be one more season after the fourth although it was originally planned for six seasons.

• Feb 1, 2020

AceShowbiz - Netflix hit British royal drama "The Crown" will end after a fifth series with Imelda Staunton playing Queen Elizabeth II, according to its creator, Peter Morgan.

The show, which over three series so far has shown the Queen's life from 1947 until 1977, was expected to run for at least two more series, taking events close to the present day.

However, Morgan says that there will only be one more season after the fourth, which is currently in production and it will show the royals in the 1980s.

"At the outset I had imagined 'The Crown' running for six seasons," he tells British newspaper The Sun. "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."

Cutting proceedings short after five seasons, will likely mean the show ends in the early 2000s rather than depicting present day events.

Morgan also confirmed reports that Imelda Staunton will take over the role of Queen Elizabeth from Olivia Colman for the fifth season, praising her as an "astonishing talent... taking "The Crown" into the 21st Century."

On taking up the part that's also been played by Claire Foy in seasons one and two, Staunton added: "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."