One of the biggest unanswered questions about the future of Netflix’s The Crown has just been answered. For a long time, we’ve been wondering which actress they’d pick for the key role of Princess Diana, who’s set to play a huge role in seasons 4 and 5 of the lavish hit. Our only hint to date has been a casting call that said the show was looking for “a mesmerizing new young star with extraordinary range. She has to play charming comedy, flirt and social exhibitionist on the world stage, desperate and lonely self-harmer at her lowest ebb and the kind of psychological intensity of Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby.”
Well, it seems that they’ve found someone who fits the bill in the form of Emma Corrin. Corrin’s a relatively unknown young talent, who’s appeared in ITV series Grantchester. It seems her star is on the ascendant though, as she’s set to star in Batman prequel series Pennyworth as well as taking a key role in the movie Misbehaviour about the 1970 Miss World beauty pageant.
Here’s what she had to say about her casting:
“Beyond excited and honoured to be joining The Crown for its fourth season. I have been glued to the show since the first episode and to think I’m now joining this incredibly talented acting family is just surreal. Princess Diana was an icon, and her effect on the world remains profound and inspiring. To be given the chance to explore her through Peter Morgan’s writing is the most exceptional opportunity, and I will strive to do her justice!”
The show’s creator Peter Morgan also chipped in, stating:
“Emma is a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer. As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation.”
But don’t expect to see much of Corrin’s Diana this year. Season 3 reportedly spans the mid-1960s to the late 1970s, which means she’ll be largely absent given that Charles (who’s now played by Call the Midwife actor Josh O’Connor) met Diana for the first time in 1977. However, smart money’s on the season finale taking place over the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, leaving The Crown ample time to give us a late tease of the doomed couple first encountering one another. Once that’s out of the way, Corrin is all but guaranteed to be the centerpiece of the following two seasons, with season 5 most likely concluding with the death of Diana in 1997.