You won’t believe which actor is officially set to play Prince Charles in The Crown

And we cannot wait.

Even though it feels like season two of The Crown has just left our screens, we’re already looking forward to its third season – and mourning the loss of its stars from the episodes ahead.

It was announced last year that this season would be the current actors’ last, with the characters recast to older actors to reflect the passing of time – something that is set to happen every two seasons.

With Claire Foy and Matt Smith leaving impossibly big shoes to fill, fans have been obsessed with news of The Crown castings, from who will take on the role of Princess Margaret to whether the Queen’s corgis will remain the same.

Olivia Coleman was the first actress confirmed for season 3, coming onboard as Queen Elizabeth and Helena Bonham Carter was announced just weeks ago to be playing her sister, Princess Margaret, replacing Vanessa Kirby. Even Game of Thrones actor Tobias Menzies is coming onboard to take the Prince Philip baton from Matt Smith. In short - it already sounds amazing.

The latest casting news however surrounds Prince Charles’ character, with an actor announced this week to be officially taking on the role.

It has been confirmed that Josh O’Connor is our new Prince Charles, officially taking over to play the Prince of Wales for season three and four, with the time period spanning from the 1960s to the 1980s.

The 27-year-old will be playing Charles between the ages of 16 and 22.

Who is Josh O’Connor, and where have we seen him before?

The chances are you will have seen Josh O’Connor before, winning a British Independent Film Award and nominated for BAFTA’s Rising Star award earlier this year. But what has he been in? Josh is best-known for starring in ITV’s series The Durrells as Larry, but he also starred in God’s Own Country, The Riot Club and Florence Foster Jenkins.

Throw in roles in Peaky Blinders and Doctor Who, and it’s safe to say he is in the prime situation to take on The Crown’s highly coveted role.

We can’t wait to see him in action.

Season three cannot come soon enough.