A top casting agent has banned British boys from auditioning to play a young Prince William in an upcoming film about his mother Diana because of Brexit.
Amy Hubbard is seeking an 11-year-old boy to play Prince William in Spencer, a new biopic made by a German firm about the late Princess, played by Kristen Stewart.
In a casting call, Ms Hubbard appealed for boys who could play the role, which is believed to be fairly substantial and will require them for almost three months.
However, the agent added that the boy must have a European passport and ‘not British European due to new Brexit rules from January 1, 2021’.
With just five weeks left until the UK finally leaves the EU, there is still no Brexit deal – so it is unclear what the rules on Britons working in the region will be from next year.
And it has led British actors to raise concerns they might lose out on roles due to Brexit amid concerns over freedom of movement ending.
Kristen Stewart, will play Princess Diana, left, in a new biopic called Spencer being shot in January by a German movie company
Casting agents are looking for a boy aged between nine and 12 to play Prince William – however Brexit rules mean the youngster must have an EU passport
Casting agent Amy Hubbard has worked on hit TV shows for the BBC, ITV and Netflix, including the Trial of Christine Keeler, White House Farm, and Isolation Stories
In a post, Ms Hubbard wrote: ‘Amy Hubbard Casting are looking for a boy with a playing age of 9-12 years to believably play Prince William at 11 years old.
‘Must have a European passport. (Not British European due to new Brexit rules from January 1, 2021). Must be available from January 26 to March 30, 2021.’
Ms Hubbard has worked on hit TV shows for the BBC, ITV and Netflix, including the Trial of Christine Keeler, White House Farm, and Isolation Stories.
The film is set on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in the 1990s when Princess Diana realises over the course of three days that her marriage was over.
A young boy is being sought to play Prince William, who is pictured above as a child in 1992
The biopic is being made by Berlin-based Komplizen Film.
Several social media users asked why a British boy would not be able to take the role, suggesting it may relate to the decision to strip British citizens of the freedom to live and work across the EU.
Ms Hubbard responded: ‘It’s not about travel. It’s common on films that the passport for significant characters needs to match that of the financiers.’
She also described the situation as ‘depressing’.
British actors were left unimpressed by the post, with Clued Up star Tristan Pretty tweeting: ‘Sorry to highjack this tweet… But does this mean us British actors might lose out on roles due to Brexit potentially?’
Ms Hubbard replied: ‘Common on films – wherever finance is from, some of the important roles will need to have same passport / citizenship. It’s not to do with visa / travel / admin / red tape.’
Thomas Mitchells, who worked as a voice artist on the film Rocketman, added: ‘Wow. That line in brackets is depressing isn’t it? This is the UK reality now, folks!’
And Martin Johnston, who played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play in London, added: ‘Freedom of Movement ends for UK Citizens in 37 days.
‘This will adversely impact UK talent. Work abroad will require visas/work permits, which are adversely time consuming for quick turnaround work. Casting service providers, please introduce dual passports as a searchable criteria.’
Economist Julian Jessop, who is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, tweeted: ‘Not heard this one before! If the financiers do indeed require roles to go to EU citizens, when did that start to bite, given that we have already left the EU?
‘What does it mean for all the current stars of the series? Are they exempt because they were signed before we left?’