“Our new Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki),” read a post on the series’ official Instagram handle. The makers dropped the images just weeks after giving fans an early glimpse of the ‘new Queen Elizabeth II‘, played by Imelda Staunton in the upcoming fifth season.
Although Debicki’s casting as the Princess of Wales was formally announced by the team, this is the first official confirmation for West, who will play the royal in the drama series.
The two will take over the baton from Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin, who played Charles and Diana in the previous two seasons.
Following the release of the first looks, fans had plenty to say. Whether it was lauding the casting directors or claiming that Dominic West was ‘too handsome’ to play the Prince, here are some of the reactions that poured in on social media.
Give the crowns casting director a big raise IM SHOOK they look exactly the same.#thecrown https://t.co/gOpvSpPpYS
— haya (@itshaayaz) 1629213230000
THE WAY THIS CASTING IS SOOO GOOD #TheCrown https://t.co/OH7qvGU98s
— mia | belova lovebot (@Iovincinema) 1629221700000
Prince Charles never look this good #TheCrown https://t.co/GOyXh1iZNd
— Gerardo (@iamglenx) 1629265815000
#TheCrown just keeps winning the casting game https://t.co/KGWknxnQj2
— Joey (@joeyrihl) 1629214182000
First Josh O’Connor, now Dominic West. The producers of The Crown are really flattering Prince Charles .#TheCrown… https://t.co/f0kUsSxKQ3
— C**Rees** (@Chr1stop4) 1629264266000
Dominic West has proven his chops to portray Prince Charles. Stop whining about his casting. #TheCrown https://t.co/z0Zi7bJstt
— ßęćkÿ (@noitsrebecca) 1629213282000
Debicki recently opened up about her casting as Princess Diana for the final two seasons and said in a report on PTI, “I’m very, very excited. In the beginning, when I found out when Peter asked me to play Diana, I was nervous obviously. It felt incredible but at the same time, an overwhelming prospect. But I think that’s just the nature of what we do as actors because there’s always a point in any job where you look at the thing that you’re going to step into and it overwhelms you if you’re lucky. And that’s the best place to work.”
The fifth and sixth seasons of The Crown will take the royal family into the 1990s and early 2000s. It will also feature Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret and Jonny Lee Miller as John Major.
