'The Crown': Gillian Anderson on Margaret Thatcher and Acting Opposite Olivia Colman (Exclusive)
season 4 of , the most notable newcomer is Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is portrayed by Gillian Anderson. The and actress appears opposite Olivia Colman, who reprises her role as Queen Elizabeth II, in some of the Netflix series’ most spark-filled and enthralling scenes yet. With season 4 spanning from 1979 to 1990, picks up immediately after Thatcher’s election, making her the first female Prime Minister of England — and marking the first time in history the country was run by two women. For creator Peter Morgan, it was particularly fun to explore the differences and similarities between Elizabeth and Thatcher, who were born months apart.