The highly anticipated fifth season of The Crown premiered on Nov. 9. The show, now commanded by the mighty Imelda Staunton, enters the 1990s in full force, depicting the British royal family at its lowest point. Princess Diana remains a central character in the story, brought to life by the underrated but always reliable Elizabeth Debicki.
Portrayed at the height of her emotional turmoil and amid her much-publicized breakup with Prince Charles, Diana is the main focus of this season. Debicki does a spectacular job with the role, portraying the "People's Princess" with subtlety and restraint, mastering the traits and mannerisms that made Diana such a famous and beloved figure.
Diana's Trademark Voice
The People's Princess had an instantly recognizable voice. Breathy, soft, controlled and almost whisper-like, Diana's speech pattern and tone are world-famous. Most critics and audiences first measure an actress's portrayal of Diana by whether she accurately captures the princess's voice.
Debicki does a stellar job with Diana's voice. She doesn't overdo it by exaggerating the breathiness or hush-like quality. Instead, she opts for evocation rather than straight-up imitation, thus creating a unique but faithful portrayal of the admired Princess of Wales.
Diana's Vulnerability
The best Princess Diana portrayals in film and tv focus on her vulnerability, which made her wholly unprepared for the Royal Family's stoic nature. Her open and sensitive nature meant she was overly affected by the intense scrutiny surrounding her station and the Royal Family's reluctance to exhibit genuine affection.
Like her predecessor, Emma Corrin, Debicki succeeds in capturing Diana's vulnerability. Both actresses embody this crucial aspect of Diana's persona. They never declare it, choosing instead to inhabit the sentiment, incorporating it into every aspect of their performances.
Diana's Spirited Nature
Princess Diana stuck out amid the traditionalistic and by-the-book Royal Family because of her impetuous nature. She didn't like being guided by the notoriously restrictive guidebook of royalty and preferred to let her heart, not her head, lead the way.
Season 5 works hard to present Diana's willfulness, and it largely succeeds thanks to Debicki's lively portrayal. The actress excels in every scene where Diana's spirited nature comes out, like when she speaks openly and truthfully with Prime Minister John Major and her first encounter with Mohamed Al-Fayed.
Diana's Quiet Demeanor
Although not necessarily an introvert, Princess Diana was a quiet figure in public events, especially when accompanied by the Prince of Wales. She was a highly observant woman, often appearing shy in front of the cameras.
Debicki masterfully captures Diana's demeanor. Furthermore, she uses silence as a powerful tool, conveying the princess' feelings and thoughts without uttering a single word. Indeed, Debicki finds purpose in Diana's quiet moments, displaying an array of emotions that truly evoke the real-life princess.
Diana's Elegance
Like the best shows and movies centered around fashion, The Crown pays significant attention to its characters' stylistic choices, using them to enhance their characterization. This approach becomes especially notorious with Diana, a renowned and timeless real-life fashion icon.
Still, a good wardrobe can only do so much if the person wearing the clothes has no stature or presence, and Diana had both in spades. Debicki, already a style icon herself, effortlessly embodies Diana's elegance. Whether wearing dresses or sweatshirts, she remains as stylish and graceful as the People's Princess.
Diana's Resolve
Season 5 finds Diana in a stronger position than ever. No longer a deer in the headlights, Diana takes control of her life during the '90s, openly talking about her numerous struggles and her turbulent experience within the Royal Family.
Debicki portrays Diana's resolve with expertise. She never makes the character confrontational or unsympathetic but doesn't deny her the necessary strength to fight the battle. Princess Diana remained an admired figure worldwide because of the poise and determination she used to face every challenge, and Debicki captures it wonderfully in The Crown.
Diana's Emotional Turmoil
Most movies based on Princess Diana's life focus on how unfairly the Royal Family and the media treated her. Recent portrayals have also taken considerable time to explore the emotional turmoil she endured during her marriage and the considerable toll it took on her mental health.
The Crown already spent a considerable portion of season 5 exploring Diana's emotional state and continues her journey in season 5. Debicki does a beautiful and complex portrayal of Diana's emotions, opting for a gentle and deeply human approach that never tries to sensationalize the very real struggles the People's Princess went through.
Diana's Longing For Love
Diana's journey is all about the pursuit of love. More than anything, she wants to be loved by her husband and his family, looking for an overt expression of affection that they are unwilling and perhaps incapable of ever providing.
Debicki takes a less direct approach than Corrin in showing Diana's longing for love, mainly because she portrays an older version of the character who knows better. Still, she successfully imbues her performance with this central aspect of Diana's persona. Debicki's Diana remains hopeful and enthusiastic about any sign of love that comes her way, adding a heartbreaking level of tragedy to her well-known story.
Diana's Warmth
The Crown includes one of the best portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II, thanks to Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton. However, the show also excels with its portrayal of Diana, thanks to Emma Corrin and Elizabeth Debicki's sympathetic performances.
Both actresses do great work portraying Diana's famously kind persona, but Debicki has the hardest job. After all, she portrays Diana during the hardest period of her life, meaning she needs to combine this warmth with a storm of other feelings without letting them take over. She comes out victorious, ensuring Diana's warm heart is at the center of every scene.
Diana's Courage
It takes considerable valor to go against an entire establishment, but Diana did it and faced the consequences alone. She spoke openly and humanly about her experiences in the Royal Family, astounding everyone with her openness and vulnerability.
Debicki nails this aspect of Diana's persona. She plays the character with blatant courage without making her antagonistic or angry. Diana's strength came from her empathy and love for other people, and Debicki understands this, creating a relatable and compelling portrayal of one of history's most misunderstood and mistreated figures.
Source:gamerant.com