A "Game of Thrones" villain is heading to another kingdom. Charles Dance, who is best known by TV fans for his role in the widely popular fantasy series on HBO, is now part of Netflix's "The Crown" season 3.
Sources spotted Dance on the set of the royal drama series as he filmed some scenes with Josh O'Connor, who plays Prince Charles as a young adult. According to the Daily Mail, Dance's role is likely that of Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Prince of Wales' favorite grand-uncle. The actor is expected to be in some significant storylines since the third season will focus on Prince Charles' career with the Royal Navy and his budding romance with Camilla Shand (Emerald Fennell).
Lord Mountbatten, who was the prince's confidante, apparently influenced Prince Charles' romantic choices. According to reports, Mountbatten played matchmaker and broached the idea to Prince Charles that he should marry his granddaughter Amanda Knatchball. But he also advised the young prince to sow his wild oats before settling down to married life. Hence, Prince Charles did not end up marrying his first love, Camilla, until 2005.
Reports also revealed that Prince Charles would often bring his dates to Mountbatten's home to keep the media out of his affairs. Sadly, Mountbatten died a year before his grand-nephew met Lady Diana Spencer, the future Princess Diana. He was killed in an IRA terrorist attack in 1979 along with one of his grandsons and 17 other British soldiers. Royal pundits believed that had the lord lived, he might have had much influence in Prince Charles decision to marry his first wife.
Last November, Netflix released a photo showing how the royal drama series recreated the investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales. O'Connor also came out with a statement to confirm that he's going to be in the third and fourth season and joked that he was the right man to play Prince Charles because he had the same protruding ears.
Netflix has not yet confirmed the release date for "The Crown" season 3. The series has been filming back-to-back with season 4, which will see the story through the 1960s until the early 1980s. The show also stars Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth, Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip, Ben Daniels as Antony Armstrong-Jones and Jason Watkins as Prime Minister Harold Wilson.
