Netflix’s The Crown: why Elizabeth Debicki will make a great Princess Diana in season 5 – even if Twitter says Dominic West is ‘too handsome’ to play Prince Charles

Aug 18 , 2021

Netflix has just released the first images of its new season 5 and 6 leads – and Twitter is completely divided about its choices for the stormy royal couple

Tenet star Elizabeth Debicki has been praised for her resemblance to the ‘People’s Princess’ – but Dominic West’s casting as Charles was dubbed ‘unforgivable’

Meet the new Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

Netflix has given us a first look at Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West in character as the former royal couple for the upcoming fifth and sixth season of The Crown. Princess Diana and Prince Charles were previously portrayed by Emma Corrin (season 3) and Josh O’Connor (season 3-4).

Casting Dominic West as Prince Charles is the dictionary definition of a stretch

Robert Daniels (@812filmreviews), Twitter

The new photos released shows Debicki donning the late royal’s signature short blond hair while laying down on a peach-coloured sofa with a smirk rested on her face.

Meet the new Lady Diana, played by Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki. Photo: Netflix

In a statement tweeted by the show’s official account last August, Debicki said playing the role of Princess Diana was an “honour”.

“Princess Diana’s spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many,” Debicki said at the time. “It is my true privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one.”

Social media users on Tuesday applauded the series’ latest pick for the “People’s Princess” based on Debicki’s striking resemblance to Diana.

“Elizabeth Debicki’s Diana nails it!” one user tweeted. Other Twitter users agreed that Debicki is “perfect”, “exquisitely cast” and “pretty spot on” for the role.

Dominic West as Netflix’s new Prince Charles. Photo: Netflix

West’s debut as Prince Charles, on the other hand, did not go over so smoothly.

Some Twitter users called for Netflix to “redo casting” following the release of an image showing West dressed as the Prince of Wales in a double-breasted suit and striped tie.