In her recent portrayal of Princess Diana in the acclaimed Netflix series "The Crown," actress Elizabeth Debicki has revealed the profound impact the role had on her understanding of the late princess's life and character. Speaking at the show's season 6 premiere in Los Angeles, Debicki shared insights into her deep dive into the complexities of Diana's persona.
The Australian actress, who stepped into the role in the show's fifth season, expressed how her portrayal taught her about the extent of Diana's challenges and her approach to overcoming them. "I think I learned things about the degree to which she had an enormous and wicked sense of humor, the difficulties that she was facing, the way that she triumphed through them, the way she used her voice in a way that was sort of very progressive at the time," Debicki told People magazine.
The upcoming sixth season, which spans the 1990s and early 2000s, is set to explore the final chapter of Princess Diana's life, including her tragic death in a Paris car accident in August 1997. The first part of the season will be available on Netflix from November 16, promising to bring a close to the iconic figure's story.
Debicki didn't shy away from acknowledging the "immense responsibility" felt by the cast and crew in faithfully and sensitively depicting Diana's story, especially her untimely death. "It's difficult to describe, it was something that we thought about, that we carried with us, that woke us up in the night," she explained.
Addressing potential concerns about the portrayal of such a sensitive part of Diana's life, Debicki reassured viewers that the production team approached the subject with the utmost care. "We tried our very best to do (the story) properly," she stated.
For Debicki, the role was more than just an acting challenge; it was a journey of discovery and understanding. "I don't think you come anywhere near sort of learning as much as I learned about this character and not feel that the only thing worth doing in life is putting love into the world," she reflected.
In response to the anticipation and expectations of fans of "The Crown," Debicki expressed her gratitude for their support and engagement with the show. "My message is just -- thank you for sticking with the show, thank you for watching it. I hope that we give you what you need from it," she said.
Despite the challenges of embodying such a beloved and complex figure, Debicki found a sense of fulfillment in her portrayal. She concluded, "It was a very difficult and also very beautiful thing to be asked to do as an actor. So as much as it was very harrowing, it was also -- there was a sort of grace to it at the same time."
