Matt Smith and John Lithgow transform into Prince Philip and Winston Churchill as they film scenes for royal drama The Crown on location in London

By Jj Nattrass For Mailonline

Published: 07:25 EST, 19 October 2015 | Updated: 08:16 EST, 19 October 2015

The Crown is quickly becoming one of the most highly-anticipated drama series in years.

So it was little surprise to see Matt Smith and John Lithgow getting into character, as filming for Netflix's epic regal saga got underway on location in London, on Tuesday.

While Matt, 32, looked uncannily like a young Prince Philip in his naval officer's uniform, Hollywood star John, 70, was former Prime Minister Winston Churchill's doppelganger on the set in Southwark.

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A transformation: Matt Smith and John Lithgow transformed themselves into the characters of Prince Philip and Winston Churchill as filming for Netflix's The Crown got underway on location in London on Tuesday
Striking similarities: While Matt, 32, looked uncannily like a young Prince Philip in his Naval Officer's uniform, Hollywood star John, 70, was Winston Churchill's doppelganger on the set in Southwark

A transformation: Matt Smith and John Lithgow transformed themselves into the characters of Prince Philip and Winston Churchill as filming for Netflix's The Crown got underway on location in London on Tuesday

Joining a multitude of cast and crew on location at Southwark Cathedral, near London Bridge, the actors were seen in full costume preparing to film scenes for the first series of the royal drama.

Dressed in a naval officer's greatcoat, Matt looked the spitting image of the Duke of Edinburgh during his tenure as a commander in the Royal Navy.

Rounding his look off with a starched white shirt and black tie, the Lost River star cut a refined figure.

With his strawberry blonde locks slicked back into the Duke's classic fifties hairstyle, the actor looked the spitting image of the Royal patriarch. 

A princely portrayal: Dressed in a naval officer's greatcoat, Matt looked the spitting image of the Duke of Edinburgh during his tenure as a commander in the Royal Navy

A princely portrayal: Dressed in a naval officer's greatcoat, Matt looked the spitting image of the Duke of Edinburgh during his tenure as a commander in the Royal Navy

John meanwhile continued to cut a more a scarily convincing figure as Winston Churchill.

With his shock of white hair slicked back and wearing a pair of former Prime Minister's famous spectacles, the Third Rock From The Sun star embodied the post-war image of Sir Winston. 

Dressed in one of Churchill's more familiar outfits from his latter years, the Hollywood actor donned a large navy greatcoat - which he wore fastened all the way up to the top.

The only noticeable difference between the Oscar-nominated actor and Britain's most famous political leader, was in between scenes when John cast aside the stoop he has adopted to play Churchill.  

Channelling the Duke: With his strawberry blonde locks slicked back into the Duke's classic fifties hairstyle, the actor looked the spitting image of the Royal patriarch

Channelling the Duke: With his strawberry blonde locks slicked back into the Duke's classic fifties hairstyle, the actor looked the spitting image of the Royal patriarch

Taking on more than the mantle: With his shock of white hair slicked back and wearing a pair of former Prime Minister's famous spectacles, the Third Rock From The Sun star embodied the post-war image of Sir Winston

A familiar look: Dressed in one of Churchill's more familiar outfits from his latter years, the Hollywood actor donned a large navy greatcoat - which he wore fastened all the way up to the top

A familiar look: Dressed in one of Churchill's more familiar outfits from his latter years, the Hollywood actor donned a large navy greatcoat - which he wore fastened all the way up to the top

Judging from Matt's uniform the cast were filming a scene set in the early 1950's when Churchill was in his third ministry as Prime Minister and Prince Philip was still a commander in the Royal Navy.

And with a black band on one of Matt's arm, the cast were possibly filming a mourning scene for surrounding the death of King George VI in 1952. 

John portrays the late PM alongside Matt Smith and Claire Foy, who are playing Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, respectively, in the six-part series which will span 60 episodes.

All the stops have been pulled out to ensure the Netflix Originals series is a success.

Back in time: Judging from Matt's uniform the cast were filming a scene set in the early 1950's when Churchill was in his third ministry as Prime Minister and the Duke was still a commander in the Royal Navy

Back in time: Judging from Matt's uniform the cast were filming a scene set in the early 1950's when Churchill was in his third ministry as Prime Minister and the Duke was still a commander in the Royal Navy

A powerful performance: Netflix's epic royal drama stars Matt as the Duke of Edinburgh, and the actor has taken to the role with great gusto - even striving to mimic the Prince's mannerisms and physical traits

A powerful performance: Netflix's epic royal drama stars Matt as the Duke of Edinburgh, and the actor has taken to the role with great gusto - even striving to mimic the Prince's mannerisms and physical traits

A mourning to remember: With a black band on one of Matt's arm, the cast were possibly filming a mourning scene for surrounding the death of King George VI in 1952

A mourning to remember: With a black band on one of Matt's arm, the cast were possibly filming a mourning scene for surrounding the death of King George VI in 1952

An epic cast: John portrays the late PM alongside Matt Smith and Claire Foy, who are playing Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, respectively, in the six-part series which will span 60 episodes

An epic cast: John portrays the late PM alongside Matt Smith and Claire Foy, who are playing Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, respectively, in the six-part series which will span 60 episodes

Big budget blockbuster: A reported $100million is being ploughed into the show, which will trace the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding in 1947 to the present day

Big budget blockbuster: A reported $100million is being ploughed into the show, which will trace the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding in 1947 to the present day

A reported $100million is being ploughed into the show, which will trace the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding in 1947 to the present day. 

According to The Telegraph, The Crown will be the most expensive drama ever made by the US streaming company and its first to be made in the UK.

Billed as the 'the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world – Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street', the drama promises a look at the intrigue, love lives and machinations behind the most notable events.

The tagline for the show has a blockbuster ring to it, which promises plenty of excitement, reading: 'Two houses, two courts, one Crown.'

The first season is scheduled to premiere in 2016. 

A drama like no other: Billed as the 'the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world, the drama will focus on the lives of both the Royal family and the politicians inside No. 10 Downing Street

A drama like no other: Billed as the 'the inside story of two of the most famous addresses in the world, the drama will focus on the lives of both the Royal family and the politicians inside No. 10 Downing Street

Grand settings: With all of the action focused on Buckingham Palace and Downing Street the drama promises a candid look at the intrigue, love lives and machinations behind the most notable events

Grand settings: With all of the action focused on Buckingham Palace and Downing Street the drama promises a candid look at the intrigue, love lives and machinations behind the most notable events

'Two houses, two courts, one Crown': Emma Thompson's husband Greg Wise was spotted taking a break from his unknown role in the drama, which is being billed as one of the biggest TV dramas ever made

'Two houses, two courts, one Crown': Emma Thompson's husband Greg Wise was spotted taking a break from his unknown role in the drama, which is being billed as one of the biggest TV dramas ever made

Nobel drama: The cast have been hard at work filming the first series which will take in the years Prince Philip and Elizabeth II were married and her first few years upon the throne
Nobel drama: The cast have been hard at work filming the first series which will take in the years Prince Philip and Elizabeth II were married and her first few years upon the throne

Nobel drama: The cast have been hard at work filming the first series which will take in the years Prince Philip and Elizabeth II were married and her first few years upon the throne

Back to the future: Inspired by the success of period dramas, such as, Downton Abbey, the first season of the decades-spanning show is scheduled to premiere in 2016

Back to the future: Inspired by the success of period dramas, such as, Downton Abbey, the first season of the decades-spanning show is scheduled to premiere in 2016

A brief break: The shooting has so far amassed a number of extras, but the majority of the cast are still being shrouded in secrecy

A brief break: The shooting has so far amassed a number of extras, but the majority of the cast are still being shrouded in secrecy

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