Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter at The Crown Premiere

Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter were the picture of sophistication as they attended the world premiere for The Crown series three, held at Curzon Mayfair in west London on Wednesday evening.

Screen star Olivia, 45 – who fronts the new season as The Queen – exuded glamour in a classic black fishtail gown as she graced the red carpet alongside her co-star and Prince Philip actor Tobias Menzies.

The hit show is set to return to Netflix on Sunday with a whole new cast, as Olivia taking over from Claire Foy, 35, while Broadchurch actor Tobias, 45, replaces Matt Smith, 37.

New face: Actress Helena, 53, takes over the role of Princess Margaret from Vanessa Kirby, 31,

Leading ladies: Olivia Colman (L) and Helena Bonham Carter (R) were the picture of sophistication as they attended the world premiere for The Crown series three, held at Curzon Mayfair in west London on Wednesday evening

The Favourite star pulled out all the stops for the glitzy event in her floor-length ensemble, which featured short flowy sleeves and a dramatic train, which she held onto throughout her red carpet appearance.

Adding a touch of colour to her noir look, the Flowers star toted her essentials in a satin emerald clutch and complemented her beauty with a full face of peach-toned make-up. 

Displaying her signature kooky style, Helena, 53 – who portrays the role of Princess Margaret – dazzled in an elaborate black dress, complete with a sheer bodice and a puffy tulle skirt with blue feathered detailing. 

The eccentric actress boosted her frame in a pair of diamond-encrusted ankle strap heels as she posed up a storm at the glitzy event.  

Co-stars: Screen star Olivia, 45 - who fronts the new season as The Queen - exuded glamour in a classic black fishtail gown as she graced the red carpet alongside her co-star and Prince Philip actor Tobias Menzies

Co-stars: Screen star Olivia, 45 – who fronts the new season as The Queen – exuded glamour in a classic black fishtail gown as she graced the red carpet alongside her co-star and Prince Philip actor Tobias Menzies

Dazzling: The Favourite star pulled out all the stops for the glitzy event in her floor-length ensemble, which featured short flowy sleeves and a dramatic train, which she held onto throughout her red carpet appearance

Dazzling: The Favourite star pulled out all the stops for the glitzy event in her floor-length ensemble, which featured short flowy sleeves and a dramatic train, which she held onto throughout her red carpet appearance

Fan favourite: The media personality took time out of her red carpet appearance to take selfies with eager fans

Warm greetings: She made their day by stopping to take photos

Fan favourite: The media personality took time out of her red carpet appearance to take selfies with eager fans

Beaming: Olivia - who was dubbed The New Queen Of Hollywood earlier this year - flashed a wide smile as she continued to take photos with fans

Beaming: Olivia – who was dubbed The New Queen Of Hollywood earlier this year – flashed a wide smile as she continued to take photos with fans

One of The Crown’s latest additions, actress Erin Doherty – who plays Princess Anne in the series – was also in attendance, where she wowed in a red puffball gown. 

Award-winning actor Jason Watkins – who portrays former Prime Minister Harold Wilson – cut a suave figure in a classic two-piece alongside his wife, jewellery designer Clara Francis.

Shedding light on how he preparing for the role, the actor, 53, told MailOnline at the premiere: ‘I watched lots of YouTube and lots of documentaries about Wilson and I try to impersonate him in a very simple way like an impersonator would. 

‘I try and explore the way he felt in certain instances and what shaped him as a person in his youth you get the time to explore all that and understand where he came off there’s time to do that and bring it all forward.’

The premiere proved to be a star-studded event as Gillian Anderson – who will portray Margaret Thatcher in the fourth series – also made an appearance. 

As the show moves forward in time, the cast of seasons one and two have been replenished with new faces alongside screen star Olivia as an older Queen.

Season three largely reflects the era of Harold Wilson, who served as Prime Minister from 1964 to 1970 and then from 1974 to 1976, when he resigned for health reasons.  

Leading character Olivia will play the steely and constrained monarch as she faces her darkest time on the throne yet as she battles the miners’ strike, national security, sibling rivalry and family conflict ahead of her 1977 Silver Jubilee.  

Cheery: The leading ladies appeared in great spirits as they took snaps with handsome Tobias, who looked dapper in a grey three-piece suit, consisting of a checked blazer, a matching waistcoat and straight-leg trousers

Hotly-anticipated: The trio were delighted to finally present the series after months of filming

Cheery: The leading ladies appeared in great spirits as they took snaps with handsome Tobias, who looked dapper in a grey three-piece suit, consisting of a checked blazer, a matching waistcoat and straight-leg trousers

The Crown, the first Netflix global original programme to be produced and filmed in the UK, has been a huge hit and won Claire a Best Actress Emmy. 

Olivia recently told how the writing on the new series is ‘just as good’ as what fans have come to expect. Speaking in a new featurette for the series, the thespian told how she was already a huge fan of the critically acclaimed drama before joining the cast.

‘I was such a fan of series one and two. The writing is beautiful and I was thrilled that it carried on being just as good as I’d hoped,’ she said. 

With The Crown returning to Netflix this month, anticipation has been building around the release, particularly as all of the principal cast has been changed.

In good spirits: The TV and film actress was in her element as she greeted onlookers with a beaming smile

All in the details: Adding a touch of colour to her noir look, the Flowers star toted her essentials in a satin emerald clutch

In good spirits: The TV and film actress was in her element as she greeted onlookers with a beaming smile

Princess chic: One of The Crown's latest additions, actress Erin Doherty - who plays Princess Anne in the series - was also in attendance, where she wowed in a red puffball gown

Wow-factor! The Call the Midwife star, 27, commanded attention in her dramatic ensemble

Princess chic: One of The Crown’s latest additions, actress Erin Doherty – who plays Princess Anne in the series – was also in attendance, where she wowed in a red puffball gown

Happy: Josh looked elated at the premiere

In character: Josh plays the longest-serving Prince of Wales (pictured in the series)

In character: Josh plays the longest-serving Prince of Wales (R in the series) 

Smart: Award-winning actor Jason Watkins cut a suave figure in a classic two-piece

Date night: The TV and film star, 53, posed with his wife, jewellery designer Clara Francis

Smart: Award-winning actor Jason Watkins cut a suave figure in a classic two-piece alongside his wife, jewellery designer Clara Francis (R)

Suited and booted: The TV and film star put on a sharp display at the premiere

Role: The stage actor transforms into former Prime Minister Harold Wilson for the Netflix show (pictured in the series)

Role: The stage actor transforms into former Prime Minister Harold Wilson for the Netflix show (R in the series)

Helena spoke of the relatable nature of the characters in the featurette, saying: ‘It’s basically about a family and that’s why we relate to it, yet in extraordinary circumstances. Yet they’re having very ordinary reactions to.’ 

Addressing the relationship between Elizabeth and Margaret, the actress added: ‘There’s a lot of rivalry. She really loved her sister, profoundly. I think they regretted that there wasn’t enough of that closeness.’

Creator Peter Morgan admitted he was confident Olivia would shine in the role, saying: ‘I had no doubts that Olivia could do it. 

Elated: Former Corrie star Denise, 61, appeared over the moon as she showed off her invite

She's got all the secrets: The soap star's outing comes just days after Loose Women producers begged her to keep quiet amid fears she was going to reveal a huge royal secret

Elated: Former Corrie star Denise, 61, appeared over the moon as she showed off her invite

‘She’s amazing to watch and the new cast didn’t bother me, it was how to make the new cast feel like it was the same show. I wanted it to feel that it was seamless and I think it does.’

Promising plenty of conflict in the new series, he added: ‘The crown rearranges everything within that family. 

‘It rearranges precedence, principles and priorities. They can’t be who they might want to be or indeed, who they are best suited to be.’  

Larger-than-life: Helena showcased her larger-than-life personality as she pointed at her co-stars during their playful appearance

Shield: Olivia was every inch the doting friend as she appeared to protect Helena from something in the distance

Larger-than-life: Helena showcased her larger-than-life personality as she pointed at her co-stars during their playful appearance

Giggly: The actresses couldn't stop laughing as they cracked jokes amongst themselves

Giggly: The actresses couldn’t stop laughing as they cracked jokes amongst themselves

Sweet display: Fronting the series, Tobias, Olivia and Helena were in their element as they posed for a photocall

Sweet display: Fronting the series, Tobias, Olivia and Helena were in their element as they posed for a photocall

Strong bond: The pair looked closer than ever as they cosied up to each other

Strong bond: The pair looked closer than ever as they cosied up to each other

Snazzy: X Files actress Gillian, 51, wowed in an inky-blue velvet dress

Legs for days: Film director Dolly Alderton (R) flashed her lean legs in a navy jacket

Snazzy: X Files actress Gillian, 51, wowed in an inky-blue velvet dress, while film director Dolly Alderton (R) flashed her lean legs in a navy jacket

Cast: Harry, Peter, Erin, Marion Bailey, Tobias, Olivia, Helena, Jason and Josh posed for a group snap before watching the show

Cast: Harry, Peter, Erin, Marion Bailey, Tobias, Olivia, Helena, Jason and Josh posed for a group snap before watching the show

Laughs: The cast proved they clearly get along off-screen as the sat for the Q&A

Laughs: The cast proved they clearly get along off-screen as the sat for the Q&A

Q&A: Edith Bowman hosted the cast and crew chat before episode one was screened

Q&A: Edith Bowman hosted the cast and crew chat before episode one was screened

Insight: The cast sat in front of invited guests to discuss the forthcoming third season, out at the end of the week on Netflix

Insight: The cast sat in front of invited guests to discuss the forthcoming third season, out at the end of the week on Netflix

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