‘The Crown’ Update: Elizabeth Debicki Recreates Princess Diana’s 1997 Trip As Show Resumes Filming
Filming for “The Crown” appears to have recently resumed following Queen Elizabeth II’s death. It comes as new photos from the set surfaced across media platforms, showing Elizabeth Debicki recreating Princess Diana’s trip in 1997.
E! News noted that the late royal’s trip was her last official trip before passing away a few weeks later. As recalled, it was a three-day visit to Bosnia, where she engaged with locals who had been injured by landmines.
Debicki is set to play the role of the late Princess of Wales in the new installments of the Netflix series. She will replace Emma Corrin, who took on the character in the show’s fourth season.
Netflix confirmed late last week that the production of “The Crown” temporarily suspended its filming for Season 6 following the Queen’s death on Thursday.
In a statement to Deadline on Friday, it said that the move was a “mark of respect.” It also noted the filming will be suspended, as well, “on the day of Her Majesty The Queen’s funeral,” which will be on September 19.
The decision to stop the production was first hinted at by the show’s creator, Peter Morgan, later on Thursday. In an email message to the same publication, he said he expects filming for the sixth season will stop for a period of time “out of respect.”
“The Crown” has yet to drop its new and fifth installment on Netflix. It last released new episodes on the platform in 2020.
Despite this, the show has recently seen a surge in viewership numbers following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing. As it happened, the first season of the series, which stars Claire Foy as the British Monarch, made it to the platform’s “Top 10” list last week.
Variety quoted a statement from Netflix, stating, “HRH Queen Elizabeth II was in the hearts and minds of viewers.”
It consequently explained that the pilot season of the show was watched for 17.6 million hours between September 5 and September 11, resulting in the material taking the seventh spot on its weekly “Top 10.”
Meanwhile, it remains unclear when “The Crown” will return on Netflix for its fifth season. But, the reported release date is November 2022, according to Forbes.
Aside from the character of Princess Diana in the show, all other major roles in the material will also be played by new cast members, including Imelda Staunton for Queen Elizabeth II, Jonathan Pryce for Prince Philip, Dominic West for Prince Charles, and Olivia Williams for Camilla Parker Bowles.