A recently graduated actress will take on the role of a young Princess Diana in Netflix hit series The Crown. Emma Corrin will portray the late royal, who was born Lady Diana Spencer before marrying Prince Charles and becoming the Princess of Wales, in the show's fourth series.
The actress “immediately captivated” casting directors, show creator Peter Morgan revealed in a statement announcing her appointment, while Corrin said she was “beyond excited and honoured” to win the role.
"I have been glued to the show since the first episode and to think I'm now joining this incredibly talented acting family is just surreal," said the actress, who to date has only appeared in one televised show, a single episode of Grantchester in 2019.
"Princess Diana was an icon, and her effect on the world remains profound and inspiring. To be given the chance to explore her through Peter Morgan’s writing is the most exceptional opportunity, and I will strive to do her justice.”
Corrin, 23, is a graduate of Cambridge University, and is also set to appear alongside Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Keira Knightley in Misbehaviour, an upcoming comedy about the 1970 Miss World competition.
"As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation," said show creator Morgan of Corrin's casting.
Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, has previously been immortalised on screen by Naomi Watts, Nicola Formby and Serena Scott Thomas.
She was just 19 years old and working as a nursery teacher's assistant when she became engaged to Prince Charles, with the two tying the knot later that year.
Though they later divorced in 1996, after welcoming children Princes William and Harry, The Crown will document the earliest years of the royals' marriage in its fourth season.
The show has already cast Les Miserables actor Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles, and Call the Midwife star, Emerald Fennell, as Camilla Parker Bowles.
Filming for series four of The Crown will begin this year, Netflix added, with season three set to air at some point in 2019, though no confirmed release date has yet been announced.
The show, which charts the British monarch's long-standing reign, sees Oscar winner Olivia Colman taking over the reins from Claire Foy to play Queen Elizabeth II throughout seasons three and four.
Season three also replaces Matt Smith with Outlander star Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip, and Helena Bonham Carter will take over the role of Princess Margaret from Vanessa Kirby.
Season four is expected to begin in the 1970s, when Margaret Thatcher started her tenure as Britain's longest-serving prime minister of the century.
