Netflix has released the first image of Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in series three of The Crown.

The image was released on the show’s twitter account with the caption ‘patience’.

The upcoming series sees the major roles in The Crown recast – with Colman replacing Claire Foy, Tobias Menzies replacing Matt Smith as Prince Philip and Helena Bonham Carter playing Princess Margaret, replacing Vanessa Kirby.

The new cast will star in seasons three and four of the period drama, produced by Left Bank Pictures.

The Crown creator Peter Morgan discussed recasting the show’s lead actors after season 2 with Screen last year, saying: “I’ve got strong feelings about how far you can go as an actor, I think you can age ten years younger than they are and ten years older and no more.”