The Crown: Elizabeth Debicki to play Princess Diana for final two series of hit Netflix show

The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki has been cast as Princess Diana for the final two seasons of The Crown.

Elizabeth will take over from Emma Corrin in the hit Netflix show, playing Diana for the fifth and sixth series, which will include Diana’s death in 1997.

At 29, Elizabeth is the same age the late princess was in 1990, the year the fifth series begins. 

The actress told The Sun of her casting: ‘Princess Diana’s spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many.

‘It is my privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.’ 

Meanwhile, show insiders reveal the Netflix show’s creators were impressed with Elizbeth’s ‘star quality’ as she beat out a number of big names for the coveted role. 

The show insider said: ‘Season five and six will see Diana emerging as an effortless icon with superstar quality but yet still retaining that fragility.

‘The role requires a fearless actor to bring truth to this beloved yet complex icon. Elizabeth had that perfect combination of megawatt star quality and vulnerability.

‘She was an instant hit – when Elizabeth walked into the room producers were immediately struck by a sheer force of personality and energy and they knew they had found the perfect Diana for the final chapters of The Crown.

‘As well as having the acting ability to tackle such a challenging role, the obvious similarities between Elizabeth and Diana in terms of appearance also made her a natural choice.’

Emma Corrin will make her debut as Diane in the upcoming fourth series of The Crown, which is expected to return to Netflix this autumn. 

Rising star Emma, 24, plays the younger Diana who married Prince Charles in 1981. Josh O’Connor, 30, reprises his role as Charles in the new series.