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The Two Dianas: Unmasking The Actresses Who Masterfully Played Princess Diana In The Crown (and Their Latest Projects In 2025)

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The portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales, in Netflix's global phenomenon *The Crown* has captivated audiences and critics alike, setting a new standard for historical drama casting. As of December 25, 2025, the series has concluded its run, leaving behind a legacy of intense public scrutiny and critical acclaim for the two actresses who took on the monumental task of embodying the 'People's Princess' across her tumultuous journey: Emma Corrin and Elizabeth Debicki. Their performances, spanning Diana's transformation from a shy kindergarten teacher to the world's most photographed woman, cemented their places in television history and sparked countless conversations about the royal family's narrative. The show’s unique strategy of recasting key roles every two seasons meant that two distinct, yet equally compelling, talents were needed to chart Diana’s evolution. This deliberate shift allowed for a natural progression in the character's age and maturity, moving from the youthful innocence of Lady Diana Spencer to the sophisticated, yet increasingly isolated, global humanitarian icon. Understanding who played Princess Diana in which season—and what they’ve done since—is crucial to appreciating the full scope of this historical television masterpiece.

The Actresses Behind the Icon: Complete Biography and Filmography

The casting process for Princess Diana was one of the most scrutinized decisions in the show's history, requiring actresses who could capture Diana's distinctive mannerisms, voice, and emotional vulnerability.

Emma Corrin: The Ingenue Diana (Season 4)

Emma-Louise Corrin, an English actor, was the first to step into Diana's shoes, covering her life from her initial courtship with Prince Charles through the early years of their marriage and the birth of their children, Prince William and Prince Harry.
  • Full Name: Emma-Louise Corrin
  • Born: 13 December 1995
  • Birthplace: Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England
  • Nationality: British
  • Notable Roles Before *The Crown*: Very few major roles, making their casting a breakout moment.
  • Key *The Crown* Period: Lady Diana Spencer, the engagement, the "fairytale" wedding, the bulimia struggle, and the early marital breakdown.
  • Awards for the Role: They won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama and received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
  • Recent Projects (Post-Diana): Corrin has gone on to star in films like the romantic drama *My Policeman* (2022) alongside Harry Styles, and the dystopian film *A Murder at the End of the World* (2023).
Corrin’s portrayal masterfully captured Diana’s youthful shyness, the iconic "Sloane Ranger" fashion, and the underlying sadness of a young woman overwhelmed by the pressures of the Royal Family.

Elizabeth Debicki: The Global Icon Diana (Seasons 5 & 6)

Elizabeth Debicki, an Australian actress of Polish and Irish descent, took over the role for the final two seasons, portraying the Princess of Wales during her most public and tragic phase: the divorce, her philanthropic work, her relationship with Dodi Fayed, and her untimely death.
  • Full Name: Elizabeth Debicki
  • Born: 24 August 1990
  • Birthplace: Paris, France (raised in Melbourne, Australia)
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Notable Roles Before *The Crown*: Ayesha in *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* and *Vol. 3*, Jordan Baker in *The Great Gatsby* (2013), and Kat in Christopher Nolan’s *Tenet* (2020).
  • Key *The Crown* Period: The "War of the Waleses," the infamous *Panorama* interview, the 'revenge dress,' her humanitarian trips, her romance with Dodi Fayed, and the 1997 Paris car crash.
  • Critical Reception: Debicki's performance was widely praised for its striking physical resemblance and her ability to convey Diana's profound loneliness and increasing media frenzy.
  • Recent Projects (Post-Diana): Debicki continues to be a major force in Hollywood, with her highly-praised work in *The Crown* opening doors to future high-profile roles.
Debicki brought a towering, almost ethereal presence to the role, perfectly embodying the 6’3” height and the quiet, elegant strength Diana possessed in her later years. Her work in Season 6, in particular, was lauded for its sensitive handling of the final, devastating chapter of Diana’s life.

The Evolution of Diana: From Lady Spencer to the 'Queen of Hearts'

The decision to cast two different actresses was a creative masterstroke, allowing the series to explore Diana's multifaceted public and private life with distinct emotional tones.

The Contrast in Portrayals

Emma Corrin’s Diana was defined by a nervous energy, a constant head tilt, and the vulnerability of a sheltered girl thrust into the global spotlight. Her performance focused on the claustrophobia of palace life and the emotional immaturity of the early marriage to Prince Charles. Corrin captured the 'Sloane Ranger' aesthetic and the initial public fascination. Elizabeth Debicki’s Diana, by contrast, was a woman of pronounced poise and tragedy. Her performance focused on Diana’s blossoming into an independent, powerful figure, acutely aware of her own influence and the media's obsession. Debicki depicted the Princess of Wales as a separated woman navigating a complex personal life while simultaneously managing her global brand as a humanitarian. The visual and emotional weight of her performance felt heavier, reflecting the immense pressure Diana faced in the mid-1990s.

The Iconic Fashion and Mannerisms

Both actresses meticulously replicated Diana's most iconic looks. Corrin recreated the famous sheep sweater and the voluminous wedding dress, symbolizing the early, almost fairytale-like phase. Debicki, however, was tasked with the powerful, symbolic outfits of the divorce era, most notably the famous "revenge dress" worn to the Serpentine Gallery party in 1994, which became a cultural phenomenon. The actresses worked with movement coaches to nail Diana’s distinctive mannerisms: the downward gaze, the shy hand gestures, and the specific cadence of her voice. This attention to detail ensured that, despite the change in performers, the character felt consistently true to the public memory of the Princess.

The Final Chapter: Elizabeth Debicki’s Emotional Experience in Season 6

The final season of *The Crown* placed an immense responsibility on Elizabeth Debicki, as it covered the events leading up to and immediately following Diana’s fatal car crash in Paris in 1997. The production team and the actress approached this sensitive material with extreme caution and respect.

Handling the Tragedy and Aftermath

Debicki spoke openly about the "very heavy load" and the profound emotional impact of filming Diana’s final days. The series chose not to show the crash itself, focusing instead on the intense media pursuit in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel and the aftermath. This decision was lauded for its sensitivity, shifting the focus from the graphic event to the human cost of the relentless paparazzi culture. One of the most talked-about elements of Season 6 was the controversial inclusion of a "ghost" scene, where Diana's spirit appears to both Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton). Debicki described this scene as a moment of "closure" for the narrative, allowing the characters to process the grief and the guilt associated with her death.

The Legacy of the Performance

Debicki's portrayal, particularly in Season 6, solidified her status as the definitive late-Diana on screen. She managed to convey the Princess’s growing inner turmoil and her desperate desire for a normal life outside the constraints of the Royal Family. The performance highlighted Diana’s humanitarian efforts, including her campaign against landmines, emphasizing that her legacy was far greater than just her divorce. The collective work of Emma Corrin and Elizabeth Debicki ensures that the powerful, complex story of Diana, Princess of Wales, will continue to resonate with new generations of viewers. They successfully navigated the challenge of playing a figure who is not only a historical entity but also a deeply personal memory for millions around the world, making their performances the cornerstone of *The Crown's* final, most dramatic chapters. The critical success of both actresses underscores the show's commitment to high-calibre casting and storytelling, cementing Diana's enduring appeal as the 'Queen of Hearts.'
who played princess diana in the crown
who played princess diana in the crown

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