For fans of Netflix's The Crown, the casting of two actresses to portray Princess Diana across different seasons was a masterstroke. Elizabeth Debicki took on the role for seasons five and six, while Emma Corrin portrayed a younger Diana in season four. In a recent joint interview for Variety's Actors on Actors series, the two performers opened up about the winding, often emotional road that led them to the part.

A Shared Dream, Separate Paths

Debicki, the Australian-born actress known for her towering height and graceful presence, revealed that she first auditioned for The Crown several years before Diana even appeared. She went in for a non-British character in season two and, after not getting that part, was told by her agent that producers were considering her for Princess Diana. But then, the role went to Corrin for season four. "For like five or six years, I thought — I wouldn't think about it frequently, but every now and then I would think — and I continued to watch The Crown religiously — I would think, 'I wonder if that's ever going to come around,'" Debicki recalled. "And then when you were cast, at that point there was no season 6 planned... I thought, 'Well, it was a nice dream.'"

Corrin, for their part, had a similarly indirect route. They initially auditioned for a minor role as a lady-in-waiting to the Queen. During that process, they were asked to read with actors auditioning to play Camilla Parker Bowles. That reading caught the attention of casting directors, and eventually Corrin was asked to test for Diana — a role that would catapult them to international stardom and earn them a Golden Globe award.

The Weight of Diana's Legacy

Both actresses spoke about the immense responsibility of portraying a real person beloved by millions. Diana, Princess of Wales, remains an icon of compassion, style, and vulnerability. Her life and tragic death in 1997 continue to fascinate and move audiences worldwide. Corrin, who played Diana from her teenage years through her marriage to Prince Charles, said during their Golden Globe acceptance speech: "Most of all, thank you so much to Diana. You have taught me compassion and empathy beyond any measure that I could ever imagine and, on behalf of everyone who remembers you so fondly and passionately in our hearts, thank you."

Debicki, who took over the role for the later, more tumultuous years — including the separation, the "revenge dress" moment, and the final days in Paris — has also won a Golden Globe for her portrayal. She described playing Diana as "a gift" and admitted it took her "about a year" to shake off the character after filming wrapped. The intense emotional scenes, including the fatal car crash and the subsequent royal family's reaction, were, in her words, "horrendous" to shoot.

Behind the Scenes of 'The Crown'

The series, created by Peter Morgan, has been praised for its meticulous attention to historical detail and its sensitive handling of complex personal and political events. The transition from Corrin to Debicki was seamless, with the show's makeup and costume departments ensuring continuity while allowing each actress to bring her own interpretation. Elizabeth Debicki was famously photographed on set wearing an exact replica of Diana's black "revenge dress" from 1994, a moment that became a cultural touchstone for the show's final seasons.

The decision to end The Crown with season six after covering events up to the early 2000s was deliberate, according to Morgan. The show's final episodes focus on the aftermath of Diana's death and the early relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton. The series also featured Olivia Colman and Claire Foy reprising their roles as Queen Elizabeth II for a final flashback scene that tied the entire narrative together.

Awards and Recognition

Both Debicki and Corrin have received widespread acclaim. Debicki's performance earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award — she famously kicked off her shoes before giving her acceptance speech, a moment she later explained was born from excitement and a desire to be comfortable in the moment. Corrin's Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama was a breakthrough moment, marking them as a rising star to watch.

The casting process for The Crown has always been a closely guarded secret, with actors often auditioning for multiple parts before landing the right one. The shared experience of Debicki and Corrin underscores a broader truth: sometimes the dream you think you've lost is simply waiting for the right moment to return. As Debicki said, she had "given up" after seeing Corrin's stunning transformation, but the producers had not forgotten her. When the time came to cast an older Diana, she was the first choice.

Beyond 'The Crown'

Elizabeth Debicki's career has flourished well beyond The Crown. She has starred in Christopher Nolan's Tenet, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and the upcoming horror film MaXXXine, where she takes on a new kind of challenging role. Emma Corrin, meanwhile, has branched out into film and stage, with a critically acclaimed turn in the film My Policeman opposite Harry Styles, and a role in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine as a character that has yet to be fully revealed.

Their conversation for Variety offered a rare glimpse into the vulnerability and tenacity required to inhabit such an iconic figure. Both actresses expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to honor Diana's memory, and they acknowledged the support they received from each other and from the show's production team. The legacy of The Crown will undoubtedly include these two remarkable performances, each distinct yet united by a shared commitment to truth and empathy.

As the series concludes, fans and critics alike reflect on the cultural impact of The Crown and the indelible mark left by its dual Dianas. The story of their casting — of hopes deferred and dreams unexpectedly realized — is as compelling as any fictional narrative. Elizabeth Debicki and Emma Corrin proved that sometimes, the best roles are those that find you when you least expect them.

Source: Entertainment Tonight News