The global coronavirus pandemic continues to rage across the world, but the film and entertainment industry continues to move forward in the new normal brought about by the pandemic. While uncertainty still surrounds productions, casting announcements are being made, such as that of Elizabeth Debicki joining The Crown.
Deadline reports that the 29-year-old Australian actress has been cast as the late Princess Diana in the series. In the statement that accompanied the casting news, Debicki said it was a privilege and an honor to become part of the series, which has won multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards over the course of four years.
Debicki is just one of the new cast members that have been recently announced to join the series. Acclaimed actor Jonathan Pryce was recently announced to play the role of Prince Philip in the fifth and sixth season of The Crown.
Variety notes that Debicki will be the second actress to portray Diana in the series, as she will be portrayed by Emma Corrin in the upcoming fourth season. Announced earlier were Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II in the final two seasons and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret in seasons five and six.
The publication also notes that Debicki becomes one of the few members of the cast who is not actually from England. Winston Churchill was portrayed by American John Lithgow in the first season, a role for which he won several acting awards.
Other casting news that gained attention over the past couple of weeks was Jude Law being in line to play Captain Hook. The 47-year-old actor was, reportedly, approached to play the character in the planned live-action remake of the animated Disney classic first released in 1953. Titled Peter Pan and Wendy, Law would end up starring alongside seasoned child actor Ever Anderson and newcomer Alexander Molony if he is cast. Anderson will be playing Wendy while Molony gets the role of Peter Pan.
When shooting will start for Peter Pan and Wendy, however, is not clear as the global coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing and makes it hard for production to push through. Shooting for the film was stopped back in Mar. 13.
Shooting for the final two seasons of The Crown will also probably have to accommodate the global coronavirus pandemic, as it has not shown any signs of slowing down. The Aug. 16 situation report from the World Health Organization says that the confirmed number of COVID-19 cases around the world is now at 21,294,845 people. Deaths caused by COVID-19 are now at 761,779 people.