The Crown has released a first-look image of Olivia Colman in the title role – with the now middle-aged Queen drinking tea.

The 44-year-old Broadchurch star is replacing Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in the hit Netflix drama.

In the image, posted on Twitter, Colman’s character wears a dusky pink cardigan and appears to be deep in thought.

She sits at a breakfast table, where she has been served marmalade and toast, and holds up a teacup in the image, which is captioned Patience.

Colman has said she is “thrilled” to be taking over the role of the monarch for the third series of Netflix’s blockbuster royal drama.

Asked if she had started watching footage of the Queen to prepare for the role, she said last year: “Not yet. I’ve got to cut off my (screen) son’s arm in the Appalachian mountains next so I will do that first and then I will get into the Queen.”

Her predecessor Foy said: “She doesn’t need any advice from me, she knows what she’s doing. The only thing I would say is take vitamins and get lots of sleep.”

Claire Foy starred in The Crown (Ian West/PA)Claire Foy starred in The Crown (Ian West/PA)

The first season of The Crown portrayed the early days of the Queen’s reign, with the series starting in 1947.

The second season picked up in 1956 and continued through to 1963.

Helena Bonham Carter will take over from Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and Tobias Menzies replaces Matt Smith as Prince Philip in the next series of the drama.