Imelda Staunton looks a far cry from royalty as she puffs on a joint and reunites with The Crown co-star Dominic West to play his wild aunt in Brassic Christmas special

Imelda Staunton looked worlds away from royalty as she swapped her role on The Crown for the Brassic Christmas special.

The Oscar-nominated actress, 67, has most recently been starring as the late Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series.

But the first look at the festive episode of Sky’s comedy Brassic sees the star transforming into wild Edie.

Photos show Imelda sparking up a joint with lead character Vinnie O’Neill, played by Joe Gilgun, while clad in dressing gowns.

She is playing the crazy aunt of Dr Chris Cox, played by Dominic West, who famously portrayed Imelda’s son, King Charles, in The Crown.

Imelda Staunton looked worlds away from royalty as she swapped her role on The Crown for the Brassic Christmas special

The Oscar-nominated actress, 67, has most recently been starring as the late Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series (pictured)

But the first look at the festive episode of Sky’s comedy Brassic sees the star transforming into wild Edie

Despite Vinnie being told explicitly by Dr Chris to keep his aunt out of trouble, Edie bonds with the troublemaker as she shares her secret bohemian past with him.

After getting high together, the duo soon come up with a harebrained plan to rob their local Winter Wonderland.

Imelda explained she is a long-standing fan of Brassic and was ‘thrilled’ to be a part of the ‘hilarious and moving’ series.

She said: ‘I have watched Brassic and I am a fan and I do like it. Chris is played by Dominic West who I have worked with many times. 

‘I’ve worked with Joe Gilgun and Dominic together in the film Pride, so we’ve known each other a long time.’

‘I like Brassic, I think it’s mad and the writing is hilarious. It’s so moving, and all the characters are larger than life but so real. I was really thrilled to be asked to do it.

‘I play an older lady called Edie who’s living on her own. Dominic West’s character Dr Chris asks Joe’s character Vinnie to keep an eye on Edie over Christmas. 

‘She is not the easiest of people to get along with, as you can imagine. It’s good fun doing it!’

Photos show Imelda sparking up a joint with lead character Vinnie O’Neill, played by Joe Gilgun, while clad in dressing gowns

She is playing the crazy aunt of Dr Chris Cox, (pictured) played by Dominic West, who famously portrayed Imelda’s son, King Charles, in The Crown

Despite Vinnie being told explicitly by Dr Chris to keep his aunt out of trouble, Edie bonds with the troublemaker as she shares her secret bohemian past with him

Discussing her reunion with Dominic, Imelda joked that she can’t seem to stop playing one of his relatives.

She said: ‘Dominic West and I have worked together quite a few times, about four or five times, but most recently we’ve been mother and son in The Crown.

‘Now I’m his aunt so I am just working my way around being members of his family. I think it was Dom who suggested to Joe that he should turn his life into this programme.’

She added: ‘This is the Christmas special, but I believe they are now going into their sixth series, so they are doing something right. 

‘It’s so popular. I think it’s because they surround themselves with such wonderful actors and so I feel very pleased to be in amongst that gang.’

A Very Brassic Christmas will see the return of the core crew, including Michelle Keegan as Erin Croft, Ryan Sampson’s Tommo Schaftner, Bronagh Gallagher as Carol Dennings, Ash Dennings played by Aaron Heffernan and Parth Thakerar as JJ Jovani.

Imelda is not the only famous face guest starring in the special, as Greg Davies is also appearing as Dick Dolphin, who gets into a brawl with one of the gang.

Imelda explained she is a long-standing fan of Brassic and was ‘thrilled’ to be a part of the ‘hilarious and moving’ series (pictured with Joe and Michelle Keegan)

Discussing her reunion with Dominic, Imelda joked that she can’t seem to stop playing one of his relatives (pictured together in The Crown)

A Very Brassic Christmas will see the return of the core crew, including Michelle Keegan as Erin Croft, Ryan Sampson’s Tommo Schaftner, Bronagh Gallagher as Carol Dennings, Ash Dennings played by Aaron Heffernan and Parth Thakerar as JJ Jovani

Imelda is not the only famous face guest starring in the special, as Greg Davies (pictured) is also appearing as Dick Dolphin, who gets into a brawl with one of the gang

Speaking about the episode, creator and lead actor Joe teased: ‘Obviously, there’ll be mad stuff happening. 

‘The gang need to help Tyler’s school and save the school nativity for him and his classmates.

‘Vinnie has to look after Edie, Dr Chris’s Aunt. She’s alone at Christmas – no one should be alone at Christmas – it shows that there is heart in this group.

‘And we’ll show that Christmas isn’t your Dickens fairytale. For some people, there isn’t the normal family set-up – and it can be one massive pain in the a**e.’

A Very Brassic Christmas is set to air Thursday, December 21 at 10pm on Sky Max. 

Speaking about the episode, creator and lead actor Joe teased: ‘ Obviously, there’ll be mad stuff happening’

A Very Brassic Christmas is set to air Thursday, December 21 at 10pm on Sky Max

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