THE first pictures of Imelda Staunton playing the Queen in The Crown emerged this week – and it seems the acting legend will be in good company.
I’m told the rest of the fictional Royal Family includes some more acting royalty as work begins on series five of the smash hit Netflix series.
I can reveal Cutting It actor James Murry has landed the currently somewhat unenviable role of Prince Andrew.
James, married to fellow actor Sarah Parish, replaces lesser known Tom Byrne who played Randy Andy in series four.
James is currently filming the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks-produced Apple TV series, Masters Of Air.
He is also co-starring with pal Robson Green in ITV series Robson And Jim’s Icelandic Fly-Fishing Adventure, about their shared love of fishing and how it helped their mental health.
James and Sarah tragically lost eight-month old daughter Ella-Jayne to a congenital heart defect in 2009.
They set up the Murray Parish Trust five years later and, to date, the charity has raised £5million for paediatric facilities across the south of England.
Joining James in the next outing is The King’s Speech and Downton Abbey star Andrew Havill, who will play the Queen’s private secretary Robert Fellowes.
A source said: “The producers and casting team searched high and low for the best people for the roles.
“It’s important to have something of a likeness to their characters, but also the acting chops to carry their stories. They’re delighted with their casting.”
PRESSURE
In the new series, James’ on-screen wife, Sarah Ferguson, will be played by upcoming actress Emma Laird Craig.
They joined for filming this week with the rest of the cast, including Dominic West playing Prince Charles and Jonathan Pryce playing Prince Philip, while Elizabeth Debicki takes on Princess Diana.
Lesley Manville takes over from Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret and Jonny Lee Millerwill play Prime Minister John Major.
I can’t imagine the pressure they must all be feeling.
Piers’ dig is touch of glass
PIERS Morgan has dropped a major hint that he is about to return with a new TV project.
The former host of Good Morning Britain, who walked off the show in March, took a sideswipe at his critics on Twitter.
His message, written across a picture of Leonardo DiCaprio raising a glass in The Great Gatsby, read: “Cheers to all my haters! Be patient. So much more is coming.”
He has jokingly suggested that he will return to GMB, even texting Holly Willoughby when a magazine linked them as possible co-hosts.
Piers said: “I wouldn’t hold your breath for this particular TV dream team. ‘I want the biggest dressing room,’ I texted Ms Willoughby.”
He added that the This Morning presenter replied: “You can have it. I won’t be there.” Brutal.
