Josh O'Connor admits that he had an over-the-top process of preparing for the role of Prince Charles in Netflix's The Crown. He revealed that he had a scrapbook of all things representing the Prince of Wales, including the royal's scent and his school uniform.
In an interview with Esquire, O'Connor admitted to owning the scrapbook filled with facets about the Prince of Wales' life. For instance, he ordered shorts from Gordonstoun School, Prince Charles' old boarding school and stuffed this in a plastic bag with mud to cut pieces of it for his scrapbook.
O'Connor also bought the "oakiest" aftershave he could find and sprayed this on the scrapbook. He imagined that this was Prince Charles' signature scent to help aid in his portrayal of the character.
The actor admitted that his process might not have actually helped his performance in The Crown. However, he did have fun putting together his collection about the Prince of Wales.
Director Francis Lee, however, digresses. He said that O'Connor definitely portrayed Prince Charles as a three-dimensional character in the Netflix series. The actor was so effective that he drew sympathy for the Prince of Wales from the viewers of the third season. Lee said that O'Connor made the heir to the throne "very human."
It will be O'Connor's last chance to play Prince Charles in The Crown season 4, which will launch on Netflix on Nov. 15. For season 5 and 6, an older actor will portray the royal to reflect the change in the decade and there are loud buzzes Tom Hiddleston might step in for the part.
Other top choices to play the Prince of Wales in The Crown season 5 and 6 include Domhnall Gleeson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Mison or Matthew MacFadyen. Whoever will be picked will be joining Imelda Staunton (Queen Elizabeth), Lesley Manville (Princess Margaret) and Jonathan Pryce (Prince Philip).
Netflix picked Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana for the last two seasons of The Crown. She will be taking over Emma Corrin, who will make her debut as the Princess of Wales in the fourth season.
The streamer also teased Prince Charles' fairytale royal wedding to Princess Diana in 1981. The royal drama's fourth season will cover the late 1970s until the early 1990s. As royal fans know, these were the years of the Wales' marital troubles that became international controversy.
