Netflix's 'The Crown' Casts Its Princess Diana

Netflix's mega-popular period drama The Crown has finally made one of its most consequential casting decisions, naming relatively unknown actress Emma Corrin to play Lady Diana Spencer, who will eventually become the Princess of Wales and wife of Prince Charles. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter's exclusive report, however, don't expect to see Corrin make any sort of appearance in the series' upcoming third season, slated to drop later this year. Instead, Diana will be introduced in Season 4. 

This makes a certain amount of sense, as Season 3 will cover the rest of the 1960s and move the Royal Family into the 1970s. It will likely end well before Diana becomes a significant part of the story. 

"Beyond excited and honored to be joining The Crown for its fourth season,"Corrin said in an official statement. "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. 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!"

Emma Corrin will play Lady Diana Spencer in The Crown Season Four. Filming will begin later this year. pic.twitter.com/WNL0f2xZi3

— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) April 11, 2019

Corrin is pretty much a newcomer to the acting scene, though PBS fans can see her in the upcoming fourth season of Grantchester later this year. And she'll also be in the upcoming Alfred-focused Batman prequel, Pennyworth, which will make it to our screens well before The Crown Season 4 does. She will make her feature film debut later this year in Misbehaviour, a period drama focused on several members of the 1970s Women's Liberation Movement. 

And she's hardly the only new actor to join the ranks of The Crown of late. Academy Award-winner Olivia Colman will take over the role of Queen Elizabeth from Claire Foy, while Tobias Menzies will replace Matt Smith as Prince Philip. Josh O'Connor is coming aboard as an aged-up Prince Charles, alonside Erin Doherty as Princess Anne. Emerald Fennel will play a young Camilla Shand to round out Season 3's younger generation. And Gillian Anderson will (allegedly) be playing the Iron Lady herself, Margaret Thatcher. 

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different hairs of the last 6 months, a wee compilation

A post shared by Emma Corrin (@emmalouisecorrin) on Apr 3, 2019 at 9:31am PDT

On the plus side, Corrin does look remarkably like a young Diana, which is a good thing since the role is set 

Season 3 of The Crown will hit Netflix at some as yet to be announced point in 2019, while Season 4 is set to begin filming later this year.