The Crown: Elizabeth Debicki reveals how the show handles Princess Diana’s death

The Crown is set to return to screens in just a few short weeks – yep! we're so freakin' excited – and will introduce a new cast taking over from the likes of Olivia Colman, Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin. As for what we can expect from season five, we'll see the breakdown of the now-King Charles III's marriage to Princess Diana, her relationship with Dodi Fayed and, eventually, her untimely death.

And it's how The Crown will cover Princess Diana's tragic passing that has got fans talking. "I really enjoy The Crown but they need to tread carefully on Princess Diana's death," one viewer tweeted, with another claiming that even the crew working on the show had expressed concerns that "a line is being crossed".

Now, Elizabeth Debicki – who has taken on the role – has revealed that fans need not worry as the show has handled the emotional event with "sensitivity".

"Peter [Morgan, the show's creator] and the entire crew of this job do their utmost to really handle everything with such sensitivity and truth and complexity, as do actors," she told Entertainment Tonight. "The amount of research and care and conversations and dialogue that happen over, from a viewer’s perspective, something probably that you would never ever notice is just immense."

Debicki as Princess Diana in The Crown.

Debicki went on to explain that from the first meeting she had with Morgan, she knew that she’d "entered into this space where this was taken seriously [in] a deep caring way", adding: "So that’s my experience of the show."

Princess Diana passed away in 1997 after a car crash in Paris, which also killed Fayed and the driver. Her death sent shockwaves around the world, and many royal fans still mourn the loss of the Princess of Wales.

In the lead up to The Crown's return, Netflix confirmed that while the exact moment of the late Princess Diana's fatal car crash will not be shown on screen, the events leading up to it will be included.

Commenting on the tough scenes that follow the royal's death, Dominic West – who plays the then-Prince Charles – added: "It’s a hell of a season, because it deals with Diana’s death and appalling scenes, like having to break that news to your sons."

The Crown season five will premiere on Netflix on 9 November 2022.

Jade Biggs

Freelance Writer

Jade Biggs (she/her) is one of Cosmopolitan UK's freelance writers, working across all sections including entertainment, beauty, body, and sex and relationships. She previously held the position of Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and the latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. Jade has a degree in journalism and has been a journalist and content editor for ten years, interviewing leading researchers, high-profile influencers, and industry experts in that time. She is a cat mom to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches, and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.