Netflix have announced that actor Jonny Lee Miller will be joining the cast of The Crown to play British Prime Minister John Major who was in power from 1990 to 1997.

The British-born actor, 48, is best known for playing Sick Boy in Danny Boyle's dark comedy Trainspotting and a modern-day version of Sherlock Holmes in the CBS drama Elementary.

He starred opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in a critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Frankenstein, also directed by Boyle, at the National Theatre in 2011, which earned him an Olivier Award for best actor.

Lee Miller follows in the footsteps of Gillian Anderson, who won a Golden Globe for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in the previous season.

His premiership included the period when Diana, Princess of Wales gave her bombshell Panorama interview, in which she famously said: "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded".

Filming for the forthcoming episodes of the lavish Netflix royal drama is reportedly due to begin next month with a refreshed cast.

Dominic West is taking over from Josh O'Connor as the Prince of Wales, while Elizabeth Debicki will star as Princess Diana, replacing Emma Corrin.

Imelda Staunton will replace Olivia Colman as the Queen, while Lesley Manville will take over the role of Princess Margaret from Helena Bonham Carter.

Jonathan Pryce will replace Tobias Menzies as the Duke of Edinburgh.

The fifth and sixth instalments will bring the drama into the 21st century.

Season four ended in December 1990 where Prince Charles and Diana's rocky marriage was to the fore.