Actresses who have played Queen Elizabeth on screen

Throughout the Queen's reign, her life story has inspired a variety of films, television movies and plays, all showcasing different sides and experiences of the British monarch. <p>From Helen Mirren and her Oscar-winning performance in <i>The Queen</i> to <i>The Crown</i>'s Claire Foy, here are all of the actresses who have taken a turn stepping into the shoes of the Royal Family's matriarch.
<h3>Helen Mirren, <i>The Queen</i></h3> The British actress, who was bestowed a damehood in 2003, captured Oscar gold for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. The remarkable performance showed the struggles the monarch faced following the untimely death of Princess Diana in 1997. <br>Photo: © Miramax
<h3>Emma Thompson, <i>Walking the Dogs</i></h3> The <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> star played Her Majesty in a television movie about the 1982 break and enter at Buckingham Palace that saw a strange man gain entry into the Queen's bedroom. <br>Photo: © Sky Art
<h3>Jane Alexander, <i>William & Catherine: A Royal Romance</i></h3> The four-time Oscar nominee starred alongside Victor Garber in the 2011 television movie based loosely on Prince William and Kate's fairytale romance. <br>Photo: © Everett/CP
<h3>Freya Wilson, <i>The King's Speech</i></h3> The 11-year-old British actress delivered a memorable performance as Princess Elizabeth in the Oscar-winning film about King George VI's ascension to the throne. <br>Photo: © eOne
<h3>Claire Foy, <i>The Crown</i></h3> Netflix pledged more than $100 million to bring Queen Elizabeth's story to life. The series examines the monarch's personal and private life from her time as a princess to being named Queen of England in 1952. <br>Photo: © Netflix
<h3>Sarah Gadon, <i>A Royal Night Out</i></h3> The Toronto native told <i>Hello! Canada</i> that playing the role of Princess Elizabeth during VE Day celebrations in 1945 was "terrifying" but "really beautiful." The fun and romantic flick is a reimagined take on the night the future queen and her sister Princess Margaret stepped outside the palace walls to celebrate in the streets. <br>Photo © Scope Pictures
<h3>Kristin Scott Thomas, <i>The Audience</i></h3> The Queen's dealings with her prime ministers take centre stage in this play by Peter Morgan. Dame Kristin Scott Thomas took over the formidable role from fellow Dame Helen Mirren in the 2013 production of <i>The Audience</i> at London's Apollo Theatre. <br>Photo: © Getty Images
<h3>Jennifer Saunders, <i>Minions</i></h3> The <i>Absolutely Fabulous</i> star captured the monarch's humorous side in the 2015 animated film about a group of minions who find themselves on a mission to steal the Imperial State Crown. <br>Photo: © Universal
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