Olivia Colman is, arguably, one of the coolest actors out there. Since capturing our attention as Sophie in the hilarious Peep Show series, Colman has gone on to become a national treasure. Over the last few years alone, she has starred in Broadchurch, Les Miserables and The Favourite. And, of course, Colman was perfectly cast as the highly-strung Godmother in Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag. 

So when it was confirmed that Colman will be playing the Queen in The Crown series three — it was music to our ears. And according to a new interview, she could barely contain her excitement either.

“I was incredibly uncool about it,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “The producers went, ‘So…’ [I said,] ‘Yes! Yes! I’m really excited! Thank you very much!’ I loved the first two seasons.”

There’s something quite reassuring about knowing that one of the country’s most successful actors also loses her cool over getting offered a dream job, right? And that’s not all.

Colman went on to describe how she feels about taking over the role from Claire Foy, who has won multiple awards for her portrayal of a young Queen Elizabeth.

“It’s horrendous,” she continued. “Everyone loves Claire Foy, so I have got the worst job in the world at the moment. You’re saying all the worst things, thanks!”

The actor previously opened up about stepping into Foy’s shoes after the casting announcement was made last year.

“I think Claire Foy is an absolute genius,” she said. “She’s an incredibly hard act to follow. I’m basically going to rewatch every episode and copy her!”

It’s proof that no one is exempt from experiencing those fleeting moments of comparison and self-doubt. But she needn’t have worried, as the show’s screenwriter, Peter Morgan, revealed in the same interview that he only ever wanted Colman to take the role.

 “Olivia Colman was a list of one,” he sid. “I think I wanted to know [she would play the part] even before negotiations were done for seasons three and four.” 

To recap: series two of The Crown concluded in 1964 after the birth of the Queen’s fourth and final child, Prince Edward. The third series will pick up in the 1970s, and is expected to continue exploring the relationship between the Queen and Prince Philip, as well as giving her children more prominent roles. 

Helena Bonham-Carter - another beloved British actor - will also be joining the cast as the rebellious Princess Margaret. She told EW that she actually met the princess at Windsor Castle when she was younger, as her uncle was friends with her. Describing the experience as “scary”, Bonham-Carter also revealed that Anne complemented her acting skills by saying they were “getting better”. 

We can’t wait to see how Colman and Bonham-Carter portray these regal roles.

Images: Getty, Netflix