Netflix has officially announced that on-screen goddess Gillian Anderson will play former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the fourth season of The Crown - leaving many Anderson fans feeling deeply conflicted.
While rumours of Anderson's casting were circulating back in January, this is the first time the role has been confirmed.
“I am so excited to be joining the cast and crew of The Crown and to have the opportunity to portray such a complicated and controversial woman,” Anderson said in a statement, according to Variety.
She added: “Thatcher was undoubtedly formidable, but I am relishing exploring beneath the surface and, dare I say, falling in love with the icon who, whether loved or despised, defined an era.”
Season 3 of The Crown, which is set to premiere on Netflix on November 17, welcomes a whole new cast including Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth and Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret.
Safe to say, the historical tensions between Queen Elizabeth and Thatcher, portrayed by Anderson and Coleman, will leave some queer viewers feeling hot under the collar, as their love for the actresses squares off against their disdain for Thatcher's famously right-wing politics.
"Clearly I can’t watch season 4 of the Crown because I do not need to add ‘attracted to Margaret Thatcher’ to my list of problems," one twitter user wrote.
"My sexuality is problematic now, oh no," another added.
