The Netflix original series The Crown posts a casting call for the role of Kate Middleton. Created and principally written by Peter Morgan, the historical drama series The Crown follows the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II of England. Tracing with impeccable detail and style the intricacies of the familial struggles, political tensions, and rivalries behind the iconic facade of the royal title she maintains to this day, the show provides a character study of not only Queen Elizabeth II but the various members of her family and the court that upholds, sculpts, and informs her reign, underscoring its complexity through fictionalized historical exploration.
Netflix released The Crown's first season in November 2016 and will release the fifth season this fall, in November 2022. The show continually updates its cast to accommodate the large time span covered — for example, Claire Foy portrays the Queen in the first two seasons that begin in 1947, while for the third and fourth seasons that begin in the 1960s, Olivia Colman takes over the role. Season 4, which aired in November 2020, also added Emma Corrin as Lady Diana Spencer and Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher. Season 5 of The Crown will cover the 1990s, and the sixth season, which is currently set to begin shooting this August, will venture into the politics of the 21st century.
The Crown is confirmed by Variety to be looking for an important addition to the cast, presumably for the show's sixth season, for the role of Kate Middleton. A series covering the British Royal Family in the 21st century must by its very nature include the publicly adored Duchess of Cambridge, who has been married to Queen Elizabeth's eldest son Prince William since 2011. The official casting call as viewed by Variety describes a search for "an exceptional young actor," elaborating that "this is a good role in this award-winning drama and we are looking for a strong physical resemblance.”
Kate Middleton (officially Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) met Prince William while both were studying at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. William is second in the line of succession to the British throne after his father Prince Charles. The royal couple has three children – George, Charlotte, and Louis, who are also in line for the throne. Middleton has historically been a British media darling for her elegant clothing and distinctly elite upbringing that presents as socially harmonious with traditional royal politics. Her representation on The Crown provides a glimpse into the future of the series and the royal relationships it will explore.
The Crown has continually received critical acclaim for its impressive acting, compelling writing, cinematography, and production/costume design, twice winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series — Drama as well as numerous other accolades. The show has been listed as one of the most expensive shows ever made, mirroring the very royals it portrays through its lavish aesthetics; however, the nuanced character development resists placing the royal title on a pedestal and instead humanizes and subverts expectations through examining the contextualizing social pressures. As the show's narrative creeps closer to the present day, the potential for the addition of Middleton's character promises to continue to spur conversations, in the same vein as The Crown's inclusion of Princess Diana, surrounding the ethical implications of modern-day monarchy and the headline-producing politics, scandals, and sometimes tragedies of royal life and courtship.
Source: Variety