Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire goes head to head with '˜Queen' Claire Foy in TV Baftyas

The Crown has been nominated for five TV Bafta awards, including best actress and best drama series.
Claire Foy in a scene from The Crown.Claire Foy in a scene from The Crown.
Claire Foy in a scene from The Crown.

Claire Foy was given a nod for her portrayal of the younger Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix show’s first season.

The nominations were announced by actors Andrew Buchan and Michael Coelho at Bafta’s headquarters this morning.

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Jared Harris, John Lithgow and Vanessa Kirby secured best supporting actor nominations for their roles in the programme, which will return for a second series in November.

Foy, who recently revealed the next season would be her last in the role, faces competition from Thirteen’s Jodie Comer, NW’s Nikki Amuka-Bird and Happy Valley’s Sarah Lancashire for best actress.

Miss Lancashire starred as a police officer in the downbeat drama set in West Yorkshire’s Calder Valley.

The Crown, which also stars Matt Smith as a younger Duke of Edinburgh in the retelling of the royal couple’s early life, is reportedly due to film a third series jumping years into their future.

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Creator and writer Peter Morgan said: “I am beyond thrilled for The Crown to have been recognised in a year where so much wonderful work has been achieved in British television.

“We are all giddy and delighted.”

Benedict Cumberbatch leads the list of best actor nods for his role in The Hollow Crown, alongside Robbie Coltrane in National Treasure, Babou Ceesay in Damilola, Our Loved Boy and Adeel Akhtar in Murdered By My Father.

Meanwhile, The Crown is up against The Durrells, Happy Valley and War & Peace.

Last year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing received nods in both the best entertainment programme and best entertainment performance categories, while Ed Balls’ famous Gangnam Style routine made the list of must-see TV moments of the year.

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Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Britain’s Got Talent and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show were also named in the best entertainment programme line-up, while the final BBC series of The Great British Bake Off is up for best feature.

The winners will be announced on May 14 at a ceremony hosted by Sue Perkins in London’s Royal Festival Hall.