There are some people who are so iconic that anyone who dares portray them in television or film is thrust into stardom themselves. Emma Corrin is experiencing that phenomenon.
Emma was starting out in acting when she auditioned for the role of a lifetime. The actress was selected to portray Princess Diana for The Crown's upcoming fourth season last year after a nine-month-long audition process, she revealed to British Vogue in its October issue.
The Crown has picked incredible actors to portray various members of the royal family at poignant moments in their lives. For fans, some of their favorite scenes are the portrayals of royal weddings.
The opportunity to step into Diana's iconic shoes is a rare one. To be able to portray Diana on one of the biggest days of her life is especially incredible. Emma opened up on what the experience has been like so far. She even got candid about what it was like to put on an exact replica of Diana's incredible wedding dress.
Emma Corrin recently sat down with British Vogue about the role of a lifetime. The 23-year-old actress is set to play Princess Diana in The Crown's fourth season, out this November. The chance to play the People's Princess is full of unforgettable moments, Emma revealed. Her research gave her access to people who knew Diana closely, so much so that Emma herself feels connected to her.
"I feel I've got to know Diana like you would a friend," she shared.
"I know that sounds really weird, but I get a great sense of companionship from her," she continued.
"I suppose, over time, you kind of start to patch together a sense of empathy and a sense of understanding. I love figuring people out."
Emma will play Diana from age 16, when she first met Prince Charles, through her late 20s, as their marriage fell apart.
That gives Emma the unique opportunity to step into one of Diana's most iconic looks. Her 1981 wedding dress was truly one of a kind. An exact replica was made for Emma to wear in the series.
"The Emanuels, who designed the original, gave us the patterns, and then it was made for me," she explained.
"We were filming the scene when you first see her in the wedding dress — I think it was Lancaster House in London — and I had a team of about 10 people helping me put it on, because it's massive," she continued.
"I walked out and everyone went completely silent. More than anything else I wear in the series, it's so … It's her."
Returning as Prince Charles is season three's Josh O'Connor, who gained quite a bit of recognition for his nuanced portrayal of the troubled young prince. Josh talked about the upcoming season in an interview with Screen Daily back in July.
"The big excitement for me, going into season three, was effectively looking at both seasons three and four," Josh remarked.
"We all know roughly what happened with Charles and Diana, and I had an idea from Peter [Morgan, creator and writer] about where Charles was going. Having the opportunity to go back and mark the moments that have influenced behavior, or influenced the older version of this person, was a real treat," he continued.
"We all have a set position on the dynamic between Charles and Diana."
"It's been great to have the ability to either fight against that or, at times, acknowledge it and also to challenge any question of, 'Did he ever love her?' Personally I think he must have done," he continued.
"There's a wealth of layers and richness to Charles and Diana, and I loved seeking that out."
Josh also spoke with Netflix Queue about Charles' trajectory in season four.
"I thought if in the first season [that I play Charles], I can win the hearts of people, and in the second, I can sort of strip that back, then that's the aim," he explained.
"He still has a lot of heart. He's still the young boy desperate for approval."
Also interviewed was Erin Doherty, who portrays Princess Anne. Season four will also see her first marriage to Olympic gold-medalist Mark Phillips. Erin characterized their relationship as "a pretty rocky experience."
"You watch these people grow," Erin notes of both Anne's and Charles' characters.
"You see them experience a similar coming-of-age, but take different routes."
The last two seasons of the show will feature a different cast filling the royal shoes. So far, just four characters' castings have been confirmed.
Imelda Staunton will play Queen Elizabeth in the final two seasons. "As an actor, it was a joy to see how both Claire Foy and Olivia Colman brought something special and unique to Peter Morgan's scripts," she shared in a statement.
"I am genuinely honored to be joining such an exceptional creative team and to be taking The Crown to its conclusion."
Lesley Manville will play Princess Margaret in season five. "I could not be happier to be playing Princess Margaret," Lesley said in her statement.
"The baton is being passed on from two formidable actresses and I really don't want to let the side down. Furthermore, to play siblings with my dear friend Imelda Staunton will be nothing short of a complete joy."
Jonathan Pryce will play Prince Philip. "The positive experience I had making The Two Popes has given me the confidence to tackle the daunting prospect of portraying Prince Philip," he shared in a statement.
"To be doing so with Peter Morgan in the company of Imelda and Lesley will be a joy."
Elizabeth Debicki will portray Princess Diana in the fifth and sixth seasons. "Princess Diana's spirit, her words, and her actions live in the hearts of so many," she remarked.
"It is my true privilege and honor to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one."
Diana's impact on the royal family, as well as that of her son's, cannot be understated. It will be fascinating to see how The Crown tackles the enormity of Diana's time within the royal family. The upcoming seasons have a lot of historical moments to offer us yet.
