Fleabag’s Andrew Scott tipped to play a young Tony Blair in the next season of ‘The Crown’

I’d say former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is absolutely thrilled with the news from the set of The Crown today, and he should be. Rumours are circulating that casting directors are in talks with Hot Priest, aka Irishman Andrew Scott to take on the Labour Prime Minister’s first term as the occupant of 10 Downing Street.

It’s pretty brilliant casting, Scott is not only being of a similar age and has a passing resemblance to a young Blair, but his acting prowess means he would be more than capable of capturing the charismatic, formidable charm of Blair during that era and his clashes with the Queen in the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death.

The history

Leaving off the last season during the Christmas of 1994, the new series is expected to include Charles and Diana’s divorce in 1996 and Blair’s rise to PM in 1997. Just three months after he takes office, Princess Diana (played by Elizabeth Debicki in the new season) tragically died in a car accident in Paris. Taking a distinctly different tact to the royal family, Blair was quick to commemorate her, christening her “The People’s Princess” while the Queen remained silent and somewhat absent as public opinion turned against her.

It’s well-known that Blair and the Queen didn’t exactly enjoy a warm relationship, with the Queen refusing to call him Tony. He also requested that the Queen’s weekly audience with the PM be moved from a Tuesday to a Wednesday, which apparently did not go down well. 

Final seasons

The Crown welcomes an entirely new cast for its final two seasons, though it’s equally as star-laden. Imelda May takes over sovereign duties from Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Phillip, and Dominic West is to play Prine Charles opposite Elizabeth Debicki as Diana.

The entire series is expected to wrap up the timeline in the early 2000s, with season five to begin filming this summer and be released in 2022.