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Many fans have been eagerly awaiting the new season of the Netflix hit The Crown to be released. Season 4 of the historical drama left off in 1990. Therefore, the next season is expected to take viewers right through the royal family’s tumultuous ’90s and beyond. Prince William met his wife in 2001 when he attended St. Andrews University and now showrunners are reportedly looking for a Kate Middleton look-a-like to play the Duchess of Cambridge.

Here’s what royal experts are saying about the role of Kate in The Crown and what we know about season 5.

Kate Middleton, who's story may be introduced in Season 5 of 'The Crown', attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip
Kate Middleton attends a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip | Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

The new actors to be featured in ‘The Crown’ Season 5

Following the conclusion of season 4, the cast has been replaced by a new set of actors.

Harry Potter alum Imelda Staunton will take over for Olivia Colman to play Queen Elizabeth II. Lesley Manville and Jonathan Pryce are stepping in after Helena Bonham and Tobias Menzies to portray the late Princess Margaret and Prince Philip. Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana, and Dominic West is taking over for Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles in the final two seasons. West’s real-life son, Senan West, will play the role of Charles’ oldest son, Prince William, in the new season.

Now, there are reports that The Crown needs to cast a Kate Middleton look-a-like to portray the duchess in the early days of her relationship with William.

The Kate Middleton look-a-like is needed for a ‘minor role’

Kate Middleton seated and listening intently to locals during her visit with Prince William to the Bahamas
Kate Middleton seated and listening intently to locals during her visit with Prince William to the Bahamas | Chris Jackson/Getty Images

During an episode of the Royally US podcast, hosts Christina Garibaldi and Christine Ross discussed the new season of The Crown and the reported search for someone to play William’s bride.

“The Crown is reportedly looking to cast Kate Middleton for their fifth season,” Garibaldi said (per Express). She added that the actor chosen will portray the duchess in a “minor role” depicting “the beginning of her romance with William during their time together at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.”

Ross weighed in saying: “It’s interesting because we don’t really know when they’re going to stop, how it’s going to play out or what they’re going to cover. When they announce like William and Harry and Kate, you can see the timeline that they’re building.”

Ross continued: “I am so interested to see who takes this role. I think most actresses would just be terrified.”

Garibaldi opined that she doesn’t believe we’ll see any big-name star take on the part. “I don’t think that anybody like A-List actresses, like a Kristen Stewart or somebody like that,” she said.

What to expect from the next season of ‘The Crown’

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Season 4 of the Netflix show ended at Christmas in 1990. Therefore, the next season is expected to show Queen Elizabeth II’s annus horribilis year in 1992 and more of the breakdown in Prince Charles and Princess Diana‘s marriage. But just how much further into time they’ll go is anyone’s guess. Executive producer Suzanne Mackie echoed what The Crown creator Peter Morgan previously said about not wanting to write the story too close to the present.

In January, Mackie told the BBC: “To be honest, whatever the life of The Crown is after where we are now, I doubt we’ll ever go as far into the present day … we don’t travel into the present day.”

The Crown Season 5 is set to be released in November 2022 while seasons 1 through 4 are currently streaming on Netflix.

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