Trainspotting actor Jonny Lee Miller has been cast as prime minister Sir John Major in season five of The Crown, Netflix has announced.

The British actor, 48, is best known for playing Sick Boy in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting and the modern-day version of Sherlock Holmes in CBS drama Elementary.

He also starred alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the stage adaptation of Frankenstein, also directed by Boyle, in 2011.

Jonny Lee Miller will play John Major in the fifth season of The Crown. pic.twitter.com/woMcTQtUmb

Miller follows in the footsteps of Gillian Anderson, who won a Golden Globe for her role as a former PM Margaret Thatcher in season four.

Sir John was prime minister and leader of the Conservative Party between 1990 and 1997, coinciding with the last few years of Princess Diana‘s life, including her Panorama interview with Martin Bashir.

He had previously served in Mrs Thatcher’s government from 1987 to 1990, including spells as chancellor and foreign secretary, before taking over from her as prime minister.

Filming for the forthcoming episodes of the lavish Netflix drama is reportedly due to begin next month with a refreshed cast.

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Dominic West is taking over from Josh O’Connor as the Prince of Wales, while Elizabeth Debicki will star as Princess Diana, replacing Emma Corrin.

Imelda Staunton is replacing Olivia Colman as the Queen and Lesley Manville will take over the role of Princess Margaret from Helena Bonham Carter.

Jonathan Pryce will replace Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh.

The fifth and sixth series will bring the drama into the 21st century.

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