Season 5 of The Crown continues to make waves. She notably embarrasses Dominic West who plays Prince Charles when he is friends with Prince Harry in real life.
It is Dominic West who succeeds Josh O’Connor in the role of Prince Charles in season 5 of The Crown. If the role can be considered prestigious, given the international reputation of the Netflix series, it nevertheless poses some problems for its interpreter.
It started when Dominic West was offered the role of the Crown Prince. He offered to leave his post as ambassador of The Prince’s Trust – a charity founded by Prince Charles – in the event of a conflict of interest, but his proposal was rejected.
For this role of ambassador, Dominic West met King Charles III on several occasions. The actor told Radio Times magazine that his resignation offer was turned down by a letter from the King’s private secretary which read: “You do what you want, you are an actor. It has nothing to do with us.“
“I think that’s probably how Charles views it“West said.”I’ve stood in line to shake his hand several times and it’s mesmerizing. It’s very useful to meet the character you play, obviously.“
His friendship with Harry compromised
During the world premiere of season 5 of The Crown, Dominic West spoke to Entertainment Tonight magazine about his portrayal of Prince Charles. The actor explains in particular why he didn’t ask his friend in real life, Prince Harry, to give him advice on his performance.
“I did not find it appropriate to call him and ask him for advicehe said with a laugh as he walked the red carpet at the Theater Royal Drury Lane in London, England.
In fact, despite being friends with the prince, the actor admitted the two haven’t talked in a while. “I haven’t spoken to her for many yearsWest continued, explaining that he and Prince Harry got to know each other in 2013, when they both took part in the Walk With the Wounded charity run through Antarctica.We actually walked to the South Pole together with a lot of wounded soldiers, so I got to know him pretty well.“.
Keith Bernstein/Netflix Dominic West as Prince Charles
A risk taking
At that same preview night, royal expert Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight that Dominic West’s portrayal could prove uncomfortable for Harry. “For Dominic West to play this role of Charles, during the most tumultuous years of the royal family – and at a time when Charles’s popularity was at its lowest – I think any actor would jump at the chance because , obviously, this is a wonderful opportunity“, said Nicholl.
“But they might also think twice. I mean, when they were doing The Crown, they knew, given the queen’s age, given her frailty, that there was always a real risk that this show would come out when she was either near death or already dead, as it is“, she continued.
One can understand why Dominic West accepted this coveted role especially since it won Josh O’Connor an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. However, it remains to be hoped that the change in tone of season 5 does not harm it.