Elizabeth Debicki cast as Princess Diana in the final two seasons of ‘The Crown’

Royal family drama The Crown has found its newest (and last) actress who will play the coveted role of Princess Diana in its fifth and sixth seasons. Over the weekend the showrunners announced that Paris-born, Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki has been cast as the Princess of Wales, taking over the role from Emma Corrin.“Princess Diana’s spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many,” Debicki said in an official statement about landing the part. “It is my true privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.” Spoken like a true princess.

Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana in the final two seasons of The Crown (Seasons 5 and 6). pic.twitter.com/Z3CjHuJ56B

— The Crown (@TheCrownNetflix) August 16, 2020

Debicki is known for her take on Jordan Baker in The 2013 film The Great Gatsby alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan, and she also starred opposite Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston on the limited TV series The Night Manager. The soon-to-be 30-year-old also plays Ayesha on Guardians of the Galaxy and voiced Mopsy in Peter Rabbit. Her next major role will be in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which opens in Canadian theatres on August 26.When production on The Crown’s final two seasons kicks off, Debicki will be roughly the same age as Princess Di was in 1990—the year the next chapter takes place. Debicki also stands 6'3", which is notable because Diana was 5'10" (the same height as Prince Charles) but has typically been portrayed by shorter actresses (Serena Scott Thomas, Julie Cox, Naomi Watts) over the years. Fans seem to be here for the casting news of the statuesque Debicki.

ELIZABETH DEBICKI AS LADY DI IN SEASON 5 AND 6 OF THE CROWN OMG IT'S REAL pic.twitter.com/jpM3GZFtpt

— bunda da bronagh quebrando o xbox (@twistedbondss) August 16, 2020

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, Princess of Wales was probably the quickest casting brainstorming session since "Patrick Stewart as Professor X."

— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) August 16, 2020

when elizabeth debicki wins an emmy for recreating this iconic moment and this iconic moment exclusively pic.twitter.com/f878IIq5CR

— mich (@bigIttIeIies) August 16, 2020

elizabeth debicki in princess diana’s revenge dress is what we deserve pic.twitter.com/bYXRJW8DKu

— grace dante (@misslefroy) August 16, 2020

In terms of Princess Diana’s arc, the fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown will trace the 1990s and early 2000s, which include her break-up with Prince Charles and her tragic death in 1997, which had long-lasting effects for the royal family and pop culture in general. Originally, the series was only supposed to only go for five seasons, but earlier in January, creator Peter Morgan revealed he wanted one more season to do justice to the “richness and complexity” of the story.At time of press, The Crown showrunners had not confirmed who will take over the role of Prince Charles. In the award-winning show’s fifth season, Jonathan Pryce will portray Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies played the man in seasons three and four, taking over from originator Matt Smith); Imelda Staunton plays the last iteration of Queen Elizabeth II (relieving Olivia Coleman, who took over for Claire Foy); and Lesley Manville is the final Princess Margaret (taking over from Helena Bonham Carter and previously, Vanessa Kirby).The Crown’s fourth season is expected to drop on Netflix this fall, when Emma Corrin makes her debut as Princess Diana opposite Josh O’Connor’s Prince Charles. Corrin and Debicki aren’t the only actors making headlines as the famed royal though; just this past June Kristen Stewart was cast as The People's Princess in the upcoming Pablo Larraín (Jackie) biopic Spencer, which revolves around the final days of Diana and Prince Charles’ marriage.