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ROYAL UPSET

The Crown’s Princess Diana star Emma Corrin finally breaks silence on ‘upsetting’ season 4 backlash

THE Crown's Emma Corrin addressed reports that the Royal Family and MPs weren’t happy with the dramatisation of Diana, Princess of Wales, on the fourth season.

The 24-year-old portrays the People's Princess in the latest series but has faced backlash, most recently from the Queen's former press secretary Dickie Arbiter.

Emma Corrin addressed reports that the Royal Family weren’t happy with the dramatisation of Diana, Princess of Wales, on The Crown
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Emma Corrin addressed reports that the Royal Family weren’t happy with the dramatisation of Diana, Princess of Wales, on The CrownCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The former aid branded the show "a hatchet job on Prince Charles and a bit of a hatchet job on Diana".

Now addressing the commentary, the actress explained that she knew her interpretation would divide critics as the late royal's memory is still "so raw" in the public's minds.

During an appearance on the , Emma said: "I understand why people would be upset because this is history.

"And even with Diana, it's still very much fresh, everything that happens. So I do really understand if people would be upset."

The 24-year-old portrays the People's Princess in the latest series but has faced backlash
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The 24-year-old portrays the People's Princess in the latest series but has faced backlash

The rising star reiterated that although the series is based on real life people, it is fictional.

She continued: "We approach these people that we play as characters, which is why it's such a joyous job because Peter [Morgan, the show’s creator] writes such rich and complex characters".

Yesterday, The Sun Online exclusively revealed that Emma is set to return as Princess Diana in The Crown’s next series after proving such a hit as the superstar royal.

Bosses of the Netflix show are looking at featuring her in the fifth season, even though the role is set to be taken on by The Night Manager star Elizabeth Debicki.

The Sun Online revealed that Emma is set to return as Princess Diana in The Crown’s next series
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The Sun Online revealed that Emma is set to return as Princess Diana in The Crown’s next series

The creators are trying to devise a way that both actresses can be seen playing the princess when the drama enters the Nineties and Noughties.

A TV insider said: “Under normal circumstances, The Crown’s rule is that the entire cast changes after every two series, but Emma has been exceptional as Di.

“So although Elizabeth will take over the role, they’re looking at ways that her predecessor can appear, albeit in flashbacks to her younger years.

The Crown has made these exceptions in the past, such as the current series where the twenty-something Queen Elizabeth II - played by Claire Foy - makes an appearance in a lengthy flashback.

Corrin acts alongside Josh O’Connor, who plays Prince Charles
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Corrin acts alongside Josh O’Connor, who plays Prince Charles

“In the first three series, there were also repeated flashbacks to the Queen and Princess Margaret when they were children.

“Now they’re looking at similar ways they can feature Emma more extensively, such as in repeated trips through time to Diana’s childhood and teenage years.”

Emma, 24, has proved a sensation playing Diana in the show, which sees her go from naive teenager to a global icon from 1981 to 1990, despite her crumbling marriage to Prince Charles, played by Josh O’Connor, 30.

It was announced in August that Elizabeth Debicki, 30, would take over the role of Diana in series five, which leads up to her tragic death, aged just 36, in the Paris car crash of 1997.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Dominic West, 51, is in talks with Netflix to play her husband Prince Charles, 72, and Imelda Staunton, 64, is set to play the Queen, 94.

Filming on the fifth of six series will start next summer.

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