A short trailer accompanied the announcement, in which Olivia Colman’s Queen Elizabeth II declares: “Something as important as the monarchy simply cannot be allowed to fail.”

The trailer also introduced the characters of Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana, played by Gillian Anderson and Emma Corrin.

The coming series will follow the arrival of Thatcher as Prime Minister and Diana’s turbulent relationship with Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor).

Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are set to bow out after series four, as Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville will replace them as the next Queen and Princess Margaret, and as announced earlier this week, Elizabeth Debicki will take over the role of Diana.

Series four of The Crown will premiere on Netflix on 15 November 2020.

Watch the trailer below: