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Emma Corrin reveals Diana casting in 'The Crown' was 'kind of like a marriage proposal'

Watch: Emma Corrin says The Crown casting offer was like a proposal

Emma Corrin has revealed that The Crown director Ben Caron got down on one knee to offer them the role of Princess Diana in the blockbuster Netflix series.

The 25-year-old star won a Golden Globe for their portrayal of Diana in the fourth series of the show, appearing alongside Josh O'Connor as Prince Charles.

Read more: Emma Corrin reveals changed pronouns

Corrin told People that Caron made the unconventional casting offer in the wake of a chemistry read with O'Connor.

"I remember we did the scene a couple of times and then Ben turned to Suzanne and was like: 'Can I do it now?'

"And he sort of got down and was like 'will you be Diana?' It felt kind of like a marriage proposal."

Emma Corrin earned plaudits and awards for her portrayal of Princess Diana in series four of 'The Crown'. (Des Willie/Netflix)
Emma Corrin earned plaudits and awards for her portrayal of Princess Diana in series four of 'The Crown'. (Des Willie/Netflix)

Corrin said they "reached a bit of a brick wall" with research for the character and it wasn't until they met with choreographer Polly Bennett that the internal feelings of Diana became clear to the performer.

The work paid off for Corrin, who has been nominated for an Emmy in addition to the Golden Globe they already won earlier this year.

Read more: Corrin reveals importance of portraying Diana's bulimia

Friends of Princess Diana also reached out, praising the star for their work in bringing such a memorable and complex person to life on screen.

Corrin said: "I had heard from them, and it was really wonderful to sort of hear how much it had meant to them."

Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin portrayed Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the most recent series 'The Crown'. (Des Willie/Netflix)
Josh O'Connor and Emma Corrin portrayed Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the most recent series 'The Crown'. (Des Willie/Netflix)

The Crown is set to return for its fifth season in 2022 and Netflix recently revealed the first images of Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki, who will take over the roles of Charles and Diana.

Imelda Staunton, meanwhile, will replace Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II, with Jonathan Pryce portraying the late Prince Philip.

Read more: First look at Imelda Staunton in The Crown

The timeframe for this series of the show has not yet been confirmed, but it is believed the series is likely to begin in 1992 — known as the Queen's "annus horribilis".

The year is significant for a number of turbulent events in the lives of the royal family, including the separation of Charles and Diana.

Watch: Debicki and West revealed in first look at The Crown's fifth series