Raven News

The long-awaited fourth season of Netflix‘s The Crown has been released and audiences feel confused with Gillian Anderson portraying the former prime minister.

Many fans of the hit drama are focusing on the casting of Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher rather than the portrayal of the “People’s Princess” Diana or the complex relationship of the royals. The latest season portrays Emma Corrin as the “People’s Princess” Diana.

Viewers were quick to praise Anderson for her performance, but began expressing their mixed feelings of her portrayal, considering their views on Thatcher. 

Thatcher’s legacy, to this day, remains divisive to the British public. After labelling her as the “Iron Lady” for her stance on the Falklands War. In 2013, when Thatcher passed away, “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead” rose to number 2 on the UK Singles chart.

20 minutes in… and already the decision to cast Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher is one of the best television has ever made. #TheCrown pic.twitter.com/sU0w84VAB4

— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) November 15, 2020

Anyone who is now struggling to come to terms with the idea of a sexy Thatcher (Gilian Anderson) please know that help is available.

— Katy (@KatyJayne101) November 15, 2020

Anderson makes her debut as Thatcher in the first episode, and is the focus of the second episode, “The Balmoral Test”. She is portrayed visiting the Scottish residence with the Royal Family in 1981.

Viewers began to label Anderson as a “gay icon”. Anderson’s first role was in The X-Files 1993, as Dana Scully. She recently admitted to lying about her age in order to get the role. Anderson rose to internet attention playing, Jean Milburn in Netflix’s Sex Education (2019). Her character is a sex therapist, much to the embarrassment of her teenage son, Otis Milburn, (Asa Butterfield).