The Crown casts Johnny Lee Miller as Prime Minister John Major

The Crown bosses have cast Johnny Lee Miller as Prime Minister John Major. 

In a ‘surprise’ casting, Netflix chiefs have revealed the Trainspotting star, 48, who was famously married to Angelina Jolie, will play the Tory Prime Minister, who was in charge of the country from November 1990 and May 1997.

He followed on from Margaret Thatcher’s leadership, with The Iron Lady played by Gillian Anderson in the wildly-popular Netflix period drama.

The Crown bosses have cast Johnny Lee Miller as Prime Minister John Major

Insiders told The Sun: ‘It may seem like an unlikely casting as the two men couldn’t be more different, but the creators of the Crown aren’t interested in an actor playing a version of themselves.

‘It was a similar idea to when Sex Education star Gillian Anderson was cast as Margaret Thatcher in the last series of The Crown, a decision which surprised fans of the show at the time.

‘But at 48, Jonny is actually the perfect age to play Sir John, who became PM at the age of 47 after Maggie was removed from power.’

Back then: He will play the Tory Prime Minister, who was in charge of the country from November 1990 and May 1997 (Major and his wife Norma in 1990)