She has played the late Princess Margaret in Netflix's hit series The Crown - but this month actress Lesley Manville is twinning with a much more controversial royal in promo for a new TV show.

The star, 70, is reprising her role as amateur sleuth Susan Ryeland in Marble Hall Murders, the sequel to Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders, all based on popular books by Anthony Horowitz.

Also starring Tim McMullan and Patricia Hodge, the six-part programme will be airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later this year.  

The third and final instalment for Horowitz's trilogy sees book editor Susan embroiled in a murder mystery after being hired to work on a troubled author's novel.

And in photos showing snippets from the upcoming series, one shot appeared to show Lesley's character looking remarkably similar to the disgraced ex-Duchess of York.

While pictured chatting to Tim McMullan's Atticus Pünd, she wore the exact same dress Sarah Ferguson had donned at Wimbledon last year, and wore her auburn hair up in a very similar 'do.

As well as sporting identical Jacquard Rich Floral Print Maxi Dresses from ME + EM (currently retailing for £245), the pair even seemed to have their fringes trimmed to the same length.

However, while Sarah had gone for a neutral lipstick, Lesley was glamorous with a bright red.

It is not known whether the similarities are intentional or not, and the Daily Mail has gone to the BBC for comment. 

It's been a turbulent few months for Sarah, who has been under scrutiny following revelations of her friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

In October, she lost her Duchess of York title when her ex husband Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor finally relinquished his Duke of York title over his links to the convicted paedophile.

Sarah's own relationship with Epstein has made headlines following the release of millions of pages relating to the paedophile known as the 'Epstein files.' 

In one message, she had asked Epstein, who supported her financially for years, to 'just marry me'.

The messages were sent in 2009, a year after Epstein was convicted in Florida of soliciting sex from a minor.

The former duchess has not been seen in public since December. 

Elsewhere, in February Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former prince, who had recently turned 66, was detained by officers during an 8am raid on his new home at Wood Farm. He became the first senior royal to be arrested since King Charles I nearly 400 years ago.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the disgraced former prince had been taken into custody just after 10am on February 19, marking one of the worst days for the family in recent history.

In a statement put out just minutes after Andrew's departure, Thames Valley Police said 'a man in his sixties' has been released under investigation – as images showed how the royal seemed to be trying to evade photographers following his bruising day in the cells. 

Wide-eyed and with his hands clasped in front of him, Andrew cut a lonely figure as he ditched his traditional suit and tie attire in favour of a shirt and cardigan.

Police added that searches being conducted in Norfolk, relating to Andrew's new residence at Wood Farm have concluded. 

It is understood Andrew was arrested in relation to allegations that he passed sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the British government.

The King issued an unprecedented statement confirming his 'wholehearted support and co-operation' with the investigation into Andrew just hours after he was detained, with Buckingham Palace understood not to have known the former duke would be arrested. 

The statement said: 'I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

'What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.

'In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.'

Sarah and Andrew are also welcoming a new grandchild into the family as their daughter, Princess Eugenie, recently announced her pregnancy.

She and her husband Jack Brooksbank on Monday announced they are expecting their third child - with the King saying he is 'delighted' with the news.

Buckingham Palace officials also revealed the couple's sons August, five, and Ernest, two, are 'very excited' to welcome a younger sister or brother to the family.

In a photo shared by Eugenie, Ernest, wearing a Chelsea football kit, and August, wearing a long-sleeved grey T-shirt, can be seen holding a picture of a baby scan. 

The 36-year-old princess posted in an accompanying caption on Instagram: 'Baby Brooksbank due 2026!' followed by a series of red heart emojis and one of a baby.