Claire Foy Says She ‘Ended’ Her Role on The Crown When She Did ‘for My Own Sanity’ (Exclusive)

Claire Foy has no regrets about ending her journey Crown.

Foy, 39, originated the role of Queen Elizabeth on screen in the hit Netflix series, playing the title character in the first two seasons.

As the sixth and final season approaches, Foy tells PEOPLE that she feels the show has “moved on” since her departure in 2017 — but she holds no grudges about it.

“I really love the people who are still doing the show, but for my own sanity, I ended the show when I did,” the actress said at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles. All of us strangers on Wednesday. “I let it go and moved on and I think that’s perfectly healthy.”

After Foy’s departure, the show began rotating its main characters every two seasons. Next up is Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth, followed by Imelda Staunton, who will close the show.

Every Actress Who Played Queen Elizabeth on ‘The Crown’ (And What She Said About It)

Shortly after leaving the show, Foy told PEOPLE that she’s not afraid to leave the iconic series behind.

“I don’t feel like I’m defined by playing Queen Elizabeth,” she said at the time. “It’s a great honor that people liked that character and therefore see me as that character. So I’m not actively trying to oppose it.”

Claire Foy in the second season of ‘The Crown’.

Stuart Hendry / Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

She said she’s “really, really proud” of the time she’s spent working on the show, but she’s just as excited for what’s next.

“My career is just for me, really,” Foy said. “I can’t do it for anyone else, so the struggles and decisions I make are based solely on what I want to do. That’s really it. It’s a really selfish thing to do.”

Crown Season 6 Sneak Peek shows Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret’s legendary VE day

Ahead of the premiere of the latest installment of the Emmy-winning series, several members of the show’s cast told PEOPLE about some of the behind-the-scenes parts that made it a hit — and why Foy, Colman and Staunton were the perfect leads.

Speaking about why Foy was the perfect actress to portray the late Queen during her early years, the show’s historical consultant, Robert Lacey, said: “Those were very glamorous years. The Queen was the most glamorous figure in the world, and Claire Foy captured that well.”

He added of Foy, “She also conveyed her fragility and insecurity and how she grew into the role.”

Crowncostume designer, Amy Roberts. said of the era Foy portrayed: “This young girl as she grows up, the discipline she imposes on herself is quite remarkable. Her clothes may be modern, but there’s a slightly more controlled element to them.”

CrownKate Middleton and Prince William feel ‘responsibility’ and ‘pressure’ of roles (Exclusive)

Claire Foy and Matt Smith in the second season of ‘The Crown’.

Robert Viglasky / Netflix / Courtesy of the Everett Collection

As for how Colman, 49, brought something new to the character, Lacey said seasons 3 and 4 “showed how a queen can connect with her people more closely than with their elected representatives.”

Although Colman rose as a folk royalty, she also brought a levity to the set.

“Olivia was at the forefront of entertainment. She just didn’t want to have some kind of grimly serious makeup truck,” said hair and makeup designer Cate Hall. “We would have raves for lunch. All the lights would go out and there would be loads of neon, loud music and glow sticks. Given that we were working on a fairly serious subject, the light relief was quite intense.”

As for Staunton, who will close out the lead character, Lacey noted that the actress was graceful in her portrayal of the monarch’s tumultuous later years.

“She caught a glimmer in the midst of the gloom. She brought a great softness to the stern side of the queen,” said Lacey. “These were years of family problems that threatened to derail the family institution. You could say she kept him on track.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

2nd part of Crown season 6 debuts on Netflix on December 14th.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education