In 'The Crown', who was the first actress to portray Queen Elizabeth II?

In 'The Crown', Claire Foy was the first actress to portray Queen Elizabeth II. She played the young queen in the first two seasons, covering Elizabeth's early reign from her accession in 1952 through the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Foy's performance established the series' distinctive multi-actress structure. Because 'The Crown' follows the royal family across decades, the role was recast as Elizabeth aged. Olivia Colman portrayed the queen in the middle period, while Imelda Staunton played her during the later seasons. Helen Mirren was not part of 'The Crown'; she portrayed Elizabeth II in the film 'The Queen.'

Foy's portrayal earned major recognition, including a Golden Globe and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. She also returned briefly as the younger Elizabeth in later seasons, so she was not limited strictly to the show's opening episodes.