Netflix denies reports Imelda Staunton will be third Queen Elizabeth II in 'The Crown'

Imelda Staunton has not been cast to replace Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown, according to Netflix.

The Daily Mail reported yesterday that the British acting stalwart has been approached to take on the lead role in the fifth and sixth season of The Crown, after the end of Colman’s tenure.

Netflix has always stated that it will aim to refresh the cast of the show every two seasons, with Colman taking over from original leading lady Claire Foy for the recently released third run.

Other major casting changes include Helena Bonham Carter stepping into the role of Princess Margaret, Tobias Menzies portraying Prince Philip and God’s Own Country star Josh O’Connor appearing as Prince Charles.

The streaming service has denied that any decisions have been made about the future of the show beyond the already confirmed fourth season.

In a statement reported by Metro, they said: “We are currently filming season four of The Crown but have not commissioned any further seasons as yet. Therefore, any news on casting remains pure speculation.”

The Crown is one of Netflix’s tentpole shows, created by experienced screenwriter Peter Morgan, who previously told the story of our current monarch in Oscar-winning 2006 movie The Queen, starring Helen Mirren.

Read more: Trailer for season three of The Crown

The third season debuted on 17 November and has received rave reviews, with a 93% approval rating from critics on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Margaret Thatcher is set to appear in the currently filming fourth season, with American actor Gillian Anderson set to portray the controversial Tory prime minister.

Staunton, meanwhile, recently appeared in the Downton Abbey movie, which has grossed an impressive $184m (£143m) at the global box office.

Read more: On set of the Downton Abbey movie

The 63-year-old will take to the stage next year in a new West End production of classic musical Hello, Dolly!, in which she will play the lead role.

She was nominated for an Oscar for the title role in Mike Leigh drama Vera Drake, but is best known to many for playing the villainous Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter franchise.