Royals 'The Crown' Season 2 Trailer Sees Tensions Run High Between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip The new season of The Crown starts streaming on Netflix on December 8 By Diana Pearl Published on November 6, 2017 11:54 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Season two of The Crown looks even juicier than the first! We’re just over a month away from the premiere of the second season of Netflix’s smash hit series, which chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who is portrayed by actress Claire Foy. The first season started with the Queen’s wedding to Prince Philip — played by Matt Smith — and saw the death of her father, King George VI, her coronation and relationship with then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Though Churchill (played brilliantly by John Lithgow) is gone this season, there’s still plenty to be excited about. Set in the ’60s, there’s backlash against the monarchy and questions of their place in the new “modern era.” President John F. Kennedy (played by Michael C. Hall) and First Lady Jackie Kennedy make an appearance at Buckingham Palace. And Princess Margaret, now moved on from her ill-fated romance with Peter Townsend, has a new man: Her eventual husband, photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones (played by Downton Abbey‘s Matthew Goode). Alex Bailey/Netflix Of course, some things haven’t changed since last season: There’s still drama between the Queen and Prince Philip — including questions of infidelity on his part. And just as he was last season, Philip doesn’t seem to be completely comfortable in his role as the Queen’s husband or as the father of the heir to the throne. RELATED VIDEO: Why the Queen Will Not Wear Her 3-lb. Crown for the First Time Since 1974 Plot aside, this season is a must-watch for another reason: It’s the final one for the majority of the cast members, including stars Foy and Smith, who will be replaced with more age-appropriate actors in the show’s third season. It was recently announced that Olivia Colman will take on the role of the Queen, while Prince Philip’s replacement has yet to be named. The Crown‘s second season starts streaming on Netflix on December 8.