As Hans Zimmer’s opening title plays, the year-long wait is over. Season four has arrived. When the critically acclaimed drama television series “The Crown” was renewed for a fourth season, fans waited with baited breath. 

With 178 nominations and 68 wins from various awards shows, including Primtime Emmys, the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes, and AFI awards, it is safe to say that “The Crown” is a favorite of both the critics and audiences. 

Season four covers a very critical period of time in royal history with the “Thatcher” years, spanning from 1979 to 1990. And with the inclusion of two very important characters, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the people’s princess Lady Diana Spencer, many fans were wondering how the show’s runners were going to pull it off.

The already superb veteran cast of Oscar winner Olvia Coleman as Queen Elizabeth II, Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Tobias Menzies as Prince Phillip, and  Josh O’Connor as Prince Charles yet again bring a dazzling and show stopping performance. 

The two new additions to the cast include Emmy and Golden Globe award winning Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Emma Corrrin as Lady Diana Spencer. 

With the new rise of unemployment and social unrest under Thatcher, the country is undergoing a great divide. 

The relationships of the royal family also reflect the country’s divided essence, with many members feeling like they have nowhere to turn to.

The cast tackles this new feeling of unrest with ease and expertly portrays what this new era brings to the table. 

To not talk about Anderson’s brilliant performance would be a disservice to her amazing talent. Many actresses have attempted to portray the strong willed, determined “Iron Lady” and Anderson did not disappoint. 

Her performance as a woman who is being scrutinized at every turn and must defy all expectations put against her is outstanding. One also cannot ignore her remarkable semblance to the character she portrays, as well as how she holds her infamous grimace. The great feat of not using a mouth prosthetic to hold Thatcher’s strained frown is one for the books. 

One role that the audience was most looking forward to, albeit very hesitantly, was Emma Corrin’s. Diana, as superstar, fashion icon, and princess, was undoubtedly a hard role to tackle. Many were confused when the relatively unknown Corrin was cast, but she did not disappoint. 

Throughout the season, we see Corrin play a relatively unassuming, almost meek, girl who is to marry into the royal family, to a strong, determined, yet still very compassionate princess. This transformation is done so smoothly and naturally, it is hard to ignore Corrin’s talent.

From the acting to storyline, Peter Morgan, the show’s creator, undoubtedly brought one of the best seasons to date.