The Surprising Way Emma Corrin Got The Role Of Diana In The Crown

Season 4 of The Crown, which follows Queen Elizabeth II and the British royal family in the 1970s through the early '90s, was one of the most anticipated seasons of the hit Netflix series, as fans were excited to see actor Emma Corrin portray Princess Diana. Before The Crown, the star had very few acting credits, as per Insider, but she's quickly become a household name after playing the Princess of Wales. Not only does she share an uncanny resemblance to Lady Di, but she played the late princess to perfection, nailing both her voice and mannerisms to a tee. 

Showrunner Peter Morgan agreed, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2019, "Emma is a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer. As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation."

It sure sounds like Corrin was destined to play Diana on The Crown, but that doesn't mean she didn't work hard to land the iconic part. Keep scrolling to find out how the young star prepared for the role and how a casting call changed her entire life.

Emma Corrin told Interview Magazine in 2020 exactly how she landed the role of Princess Diana on The Crown. The actor, who got hired to read a few lines as Diana during a casting call for Camilla Parker Bowles, was told it wasn't an official audition. However, she still went above and beyond to study Diana, which ultimately paid off after producers offered her the iconic part. To prepare, Corrin said she watched the 2017 Netflix documentary Diana: In Her Own Words an estimated 15 times, as well as rehearsed her lines with her mother, who works as a speech therapist. "There were things I tried to emulate, like Diana's head tilt and her voice. She had a very unique way of speaking," she explained.

Corrin certainly left an impression because six months later, she was asked back for a chemistry read with Josh O'Connor, who plays Prince Charles in The Crown's third and fourth season. She was offered the part of the Princess of Wales on the spot. When her role as Diana got announced, Corrin took to Instagram to share her excitement. She also noted that landing the role was an honor for her and that exploring the late princess through showrunner Peter Morgan's "writing is the most exceptional opportunity." She added, "I will strive to do her justice!"

It's safe to say Corrin absolutely did Princess Diana justice — bravo.