For Elizabeth Debicki and Emma Corrin, portraying Princess Diana on Netflix’s The Crown wasn’t just about stepping into the shoes of a royal icon. It was about channeling a complex woman thrust into the unforgiving glare of the spotlight.
In a recent interview for Variety‘s Actors on Actors series, the two actresses revealed a surprising connection — both auditioned for separate roles in the show’s earlier seasons before becoming the captivating portrayals of Princess Diana in their respective seasons. While neither disclosed the specific roles they originally vied for, Debicki, who played Princess Diana in Seasons 5 and 6, expressed admiration for the actress who landed the part.
This camaraderie extends to their experiences portraying Princess Diana. Corrin and Debicki — who garnered a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of the young and hopeful Princess Diana in Season 4, and won Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at the Golden Globes and Annual Critics Choice Awards for her portrayal in Season 6, respectively — highlight the emotional challenge of playing a character aware of their tragic fate.
Their conversation delves into the darker aspects of Princess Diana’s life, particularly the relentless pursuit by paparazzi. Debicki calls it “an extraordinarily horrendous, appalling, abusive thing that happened to this human being.” The lack of legal protection for celebrities against such intrusions stuns her. “We have not learned anything from it,” Debicki concludes, emphasizing the ongoing issue of intrusive media practices.
The actresses also explore the evolution of Princess Diana’s character. Corrin portrays a young Princess Diana brimming with idealism, facing the disillusionment of an unhappy marriage. Debicki takes over a more hardened Princess Diana, navigating the complexities of a public separation and forging her own path. Both actresses meticulously researched Princess Diana’s life, from interviews to documentaries, ensuring their portrayals resonated with authenticity. This passing of the torch, both literally within the show’s narrative and through the actresses themselves, reflects Princess Diana’s growth as a public figure.
The shared experience of portraying Princess Diana has fostered a unique bond between the actresses. From their initial missed connections to their powerful performances in The Crown, Debicki and Corrin have not only brought Princess Diana’s story to life but have also highlighted the ongoing issues surrounding media intrusion and the importance of using one’s platform for positive change.
