Imelda Staunton has revealed that she will still star as Dolly Levi in musical Hello, Dolly! in London’s West End, but not until Summer 2024.

Originally signing on to play Dolly back in 2019, with a plan to open in 2020, the production was delayed by the pandemic and Staunton’s working commitments on Season 5 of The Crown. Hello, Dolly! was pushed back to 2022 but was then delayed again until 2023 with Staunton committing to a second season of portraying Queen Elizabeth II.

With filming on the sixth season due to last until June at least, director Dominic Cooke did not feel there was sufficient time to rehearse the show in time for its limited run.

However, Staunton confirmed to Deadline that she will “definitely” star as Dolly in 2024. A major West End theatre has been acquired but this information is not yet public information.