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Sinead Butler
Jun 25, 2021
(Left) Jonny Lee Miller will play former prime minister John Major (Right)
Getty Images and AFP via Getty Images
Trainspotting and Elementary actorJonny Lee Miller has been cast to play former prime minister John Major in the next season of The Crown.
In its fifth season, the popular Netflix royal drama will cover the events under Major’s seven years in office from 1990 to 1997.
Creator Peter Morgan typically plots his seasons around prime ministers, as he did in the previous season with Margaret Thatcher’s eleven years in power.
Jonny Lee Miller will play John Major in the fifth season of The Crown. https://t.co/woMcTQtUmb— The Crown (@The Crown) 1624618808
But many people have shared their surprise and confusion at the casting, and are struggling to see a resemblance between the two.
@TheCrownNetflix Have you guys... Like... Seen a picture of John Major— near-mint limited holiday edition Simon (@near-mint limited holiday edition Simon) 1624619365
@TheCrownNetflix https://t.co/CGrpW9KB6v— Kamal Prashar (@Kamal Prashar) 1624621007
@TheCrownNetflix That casting is very... Odd 🤔 https://t.co/MdJ4hYrGBu— Ukabong 🇹🇼 (@Ukabong 🇹🇼) 1624619263
Some have even edited images of Miller to see what he could look like on our TV screens as Major.
@TheCrownNetflix Still too pretty. https://t.co/Q95474JzCF— Alex Sievewright (@Alex Sievewright) 1624625041
@TheCrownNetflix Yeah why not https://t.co/Y3S5gD91fk— John 💜 NHS supporter (@John 💜 NHS supporter) 1624620474
Needs some MS paint loving to see it. https://t.co/IrTt0UTKZL— Forrest Sholars (@Forrest Sholars) 1624632272
While others remain skeptical about the choice, many pointed out that fans were similarly dubious about Gillian Anderson playing Thatcher in the previous season.
But she received wide critical praise in her role and scooped a Golden Globe for her performance.
@TheCrownNetflix @NetflixUK Tbf I’d be skeptical they could pull it off but they managed to make Gillian Anderson Thatcher— James | #StayAtHome Is Optional;Please Be Sensible (@James | #StayAtHome Is Optional;Please Be Sensible) 1624618930
I mean, I believe in movie magic and they did a pretty good job with Gillian Anderson as Thatcher but this just see… https://t.co/MHZIGOezKq— Dr. Erin Hinson (@Dr. Erin Hinson) 1624632901
I'm not sure @TheCrownNetflix has seen a photo of John Major but they did a magnificent job turning Gillian Anderso… https://t.co/PYayWTZdrJ— 𝓥𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓽𝔂𝓷𝓪 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓪𝔂 (@𝓥𝓪𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓽𝔂𝓷𝓪 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓪𝔂) 1624630904
Elsewhere, others can’t quite believe Sick Boy from Trainspotting (a film that was released in 1996 - near the end of Major’s time in office) is going to play a prime minister.
Imagine when Trainspotting came out as the Major administration was falling apart, trying to tell anyone that one d… https://t.co/ijWqmq33xt— Dli O’Doir (@Dli O’Doir) 1624629006
Sick Boy has now become John Major? That’s it. Stop the world, I want to get off— MrsMartyn (@MrsMartyn) 1624630663
Words I never expected to read. Sick Boy = John Major. https://t.co/ana52R0Gnn— L (@L) 1624628990
From Sick Boy to John Major, now that's what I call an actor— sheikley pudendum (@sheikley pudendum) 1624626849
Had you told me in the late 90s that in 2021 Sick Boy would be cast as John Major, I'd have been a little bit doubt… https://t.co/U1qLqdzrSs— Phil #BlackLivesStillMatter (@Phil #BlackLivesStillMatter) 1624620577
In the 1980s, Major was linked to Conservative politician Edwina Curry and, in reaction to the casting news, many have joked about who might play her.
Jonny Lee Miller as John Major!!? Drink some water, The Crown, you're drunk. What next, Rosario Dawson as Edwina Currie? (would watch)— Nat Luurtsema (@Nat Luurtsema) 1624619353
Which baddie are they gonna get to play Edwina Currie https://t.co/VBDT5zhO0o— Jason Okundaye (@Jason Okundaye) 1624620005
We are two phone calls away from Angelina Jolie playing Edwina Currie https://t.co/U5feNKWOx2— Tom Morton (@Tom Morton) 1624630669
Can't wait to see Angelina Jolie as Edwina Currie. https://t.co/HgpVsG0HOY— Nathaniel Tapley (@Nathaniel Tapley) 1624623572
Looking forward to seeing I dunno Megan Fox or someone as Edwina Currie https://t.co/D0R4YnQscU— Michael Fry (@Michael Fry) 1624620476
cast angelina jolie as edwina currie you cowards https://t.co/RXJgeZniJk— Emma Hope Allwood / EHA (@Emma Hope Allwood / EHA) 1624622189
Assume Edwina Currie will be played by Lily James. https://t.co/wps7c6ohKw— Flic Everett (@Flic Everett) 1624624549
Meanwhile, some aren’t quite prepared to see their teenage crush play the role of Major.
I am not emotionally prepared to have a crush on John Major. https://t.co/zLRXu5yz72— Elizabeth Picciuto (@Elizabeth Picciuto) 1624623043
No matter where you stand on the Royal Family you have to admire the commitment of The Crown to destroy the affecti… https://t.co/ffguGul6EA— Neil Gorton (@Neil Gorton) 1624621704
No. I'm still not over my weird crush on season 3/4 Prince Philip I REFUSE to have a crush on John Major. #TheCrown https://t.co/1CA8hBaRVx— Jemima Sampson (@Jemima Sampson) 1624631816
when will the crown stop making people feel extremely sexually confused about tories https://t.co/0px9TqCvL0— aIison haII (@aIison haII) 1624626923
Miller is 48, a year older than Major (47) was when he was elected into office in November 1990.
Season 5 will include Princess Diana’s bombshell BBC Panorama interview, which has made headlines again recently over the tactics Martin Bashir used to get the interview, Deadline reported.
Shooting is expected to begin next month with a completely new cast.
Imelda Staunton plays Queen Elizabeth, Lesley Manville is Princess Margaret, Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Philip, and Elizabeth Debicki features as Princess Diana.