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Some viewers of The Crown are struggling with the new season because of Harry Potter. The Netflix show has returned for a fifth series, which will be its penultimate, and the new episodes will chronicle royal family events that took place in the 1990s. A new cast has been built for the past two seasons to reflect the passage of time, but one newcomer is a major distraction for viewers. Imelda Staunton is replacing Claire Foy and Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in the new season – and while she’s impressing many, there’s a group of people who can’t help but remember the character she played in Harry Potter. You can follow live updates as the show airs here. Staunton appeared in the 2006 film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as the villainous Dolores Umbridge, a sadistic Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who makes life hell for Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). Umbridge’s memory is too much for some fans, who have expressed their inability to see Umbridge’s past while watching The Crown. “I love Imelda Staunton and she’s been cast as the next queen in The Crown, but unfortunately I still only hear Umbridge from Harry Potter when she’s talking!” one person wrote. Another viewer added: “Imelda Staunton gives real Dolores Umbridge vibes with the queen wig,” while one said they “can’t stop thinking of Dolores Umbridge” when they watch Staunton’s scenes. Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II or Dolores Umbridge? (Netflix) “It’s all I see!” another viewer lamented. Find more reactions below. Similarly, some people are struggling with the new season as they worry about the “flashy” John Major, played by Jonny Lee Miller. Meanwhile, fans of the show were overjoyed to see the return of an “irreplaceable” original star in the brand new season, while others highlighted an “emotional” scene with Princess Diana and her young sons Princes William and Harry. The fifth season of The Crown is now available to stream on Netflix. Find The Independent’s review here and updates from the new batch of episodes here.
