Despite 25 years having elapsed since Princess Diana’s tragic passing in 1997, it’s a global phenomenon the world will seemingly never let go off. It seemed surprising, then, for the producers of The Crown to reveal that they will not be covering her death in the show’s highly-anticipated sixth season.
“The exact moment of the crash impact will not be shown,” a Netflix spokesperson recently told The Sun, after it was revealed that crew members were claiming that a “line had been crossed” with certain scenes.
“To be going back to Paris and turning Diana’s final days and hours into a drama feels very uncomfortable,” one set source apparently told the outlet.
“The show always tried to present a fictional version of royal history with as much sensitivity as possible. But lately, as things get closer to the present day, it feels harder to strike that balance. With some of those moments still so fresh and upsetting, it feels as though a line is being crossed,” the source continued.
Speaking to Deadline last week, a production source spoke again about the anxiety surrounding the new season, particularly the coverage around Diana’s death, describing the “bombshell sensitivity” of the event.
The source then confirmed that the show will focus on the “run up” to Diana’s fatal car crash, including the vehicle “leaving The Ritz after midnight with paparazzi in pursuit and then the aftermath with the British Ambassador to France swinging into action with the Foreign Office and then the subsequent constitutional aftermath.”
Of course, any coverage around Princess Diana’s death is incredibly difficult, and, while we don’t know exactly how it will play out onscreen, it’s one of the most controversial aspect of the series in its entirety.
Season six features an entirely new cast lineup, with Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki taking over the role of Princess Diana (originaly held by Emma Corrin), Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla) and Prince Charles (Dominic West). We will also see a young Prince Harry and Prince William.
Production on The Crown recently took a hiatus out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 at the age of 96. Season five will debut on November 9.
