The Crown viewers conflicted over Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Margaret Thatcher

The Crown season 4 has been met with widespread praise – but there’s just one issue fans have with Gillian Anderson’s series debut.

Fans of Netflix’s The Crown have mixed feelings about one of the series’ newly-introduced characters.

Season 4 of the hit historical drama landed on Netflix on Sunday, and while new cast member Gillian Anderson’s performance has been widely praised by fans and reviewers alike – it’s left many conflicted over their views of Margaret Thatcher.

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Anderson previously described the Thatcher transformation process as ‘daunting’. Picture: Netflix.

Anderson marks her debut as the former British prime minister in the first episode of The Crown, and is the focus of the second, “The Balmoral Test”.

But while the X-Files actress’ addition to the show is already a hit among viewers, many have been left “confused” over their love for the character.

Taking to Twitter, many shared the same sentiment.

“Having a hard time separating my hatred of Margaret Thatcher, to my hard crush on Gillian Anderson,” one person wrote, adding: “so confused.”

Another said: “I have such a girl crush on Gillian Anderson but she’s playing Thatcher and I really don’t want to fancy Thatcher! Looking forward to a very conflicted Sunday afternoon.”

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Many have said Anderson’s portrayal has left them ‘confused’. Picture: AFP.

One more stated: “Gillian Anderson as Thatcher has made me the most sexually confused I have ever been in my life.”

While another said: “If anyone needs me today I’ll be having several conflicting emotions about Gillian Anderson in The Crown.”

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Watching season 4 of #TheCrown. Having a hard time separating my hatred of Margret Thatcher, to my hard crush of Gillian Anderson.
So confused pic.twitter.com/azveaSFMzb

— Craig (@Sutto2606) November 15, 2020

if anyone needs me today I’ll be having several conflicting emotions about Gillian Anderson in the Crown x

— Ryan (@ryantayloro) November 15, 2020

I have such a girl crush on Gillian Anderson but she’s playing Thatcher and I really don’t want to fancy Thatcher! Looking forward to a very conflicted Sunday afternoon. I may need some wine. #GillianAnderson #TheCrown

— A Meskell🇮🇪☘️🌈🇪🇺#FBPE #BLM (@AMeskell) November 15, 2020

It comes as fans were eagerly awaiting Princess Diana’s appearance – with Gillian Anderson’s Thatcher perhaps stealing the show instead.

Speaking to news.com.au before the season premiered, the 52-year-old actress joked that she’d be a “horrible prime minister”.

“I’ve got such a bad memory, I’d give everything to everybody, and I wouldn’t be very diplomatic,” she said, laughing.

“In trying to save the world I’d make tons of mistakes in the process. I don’t envy anybody that role, prime minister or president. It’s a thankless, thankless role, and particularly in this day and age where the new leaders around the world have inherited such a mess.”

Of her Thatcher transformation, who she plays from 1979 to 1990, Anderson said it was “daunting”.

Anderson as the glamorous Dr Jean Milburn in Sex Education. Picture: Netflix.

The actress has undergone quite the transformation as Margaret Thatcher. Picture: Netflix.

“There were many discussions about wig colour, lots of trial and error with make-up, and a fat suit. It would take over an hour-and-a-half just for the hair and the glue that goes on around the wig. And then came the make-up.

“She also had a very particular way of walking,” she added.

Anderson spent time perfecting Thatcher’s walk for The Crown. Picture: Netflix.

“It was daunting. You hope you’re on the right track, and I have to admit, it’s a bit freaky. But it wasn’t as if suddenly they do me up and it’s, ‘Oh, there she is!’ in the mirror. It was a long process but I think in the end we ended up with something that feels Thatcheresque.”

Thatcher, who was the first female British Prime Minister, was a polarising figure.

In The Crown, we witness Thatcher’s contentious relationship with Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman).

The Crown is available to stream on Netflix now.