Season four of The Crown just might be the most dramatic—and glamorous—yet.
Last week, Netflix released a first glimpse at Emma Corrin as Princess Diana with a series of jaw-dropping photos that proved the 24-year-old actress is the spitting image of the late royal. And now, we've been given the official first look at Corrin in Princess Diana's wedding dress, an iconic design that's bound to mesmerize viewers who watched her and Prince Charles' royal wedding at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Though Princess Diana's 1981 gown was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, The Crown costume designer Amy Roberts "wanted to capture the same spirit and style" of the original "without creating a replica," according to the show's Twitter account. In the photo, Corrin is seen posing as she daintily looks to one side with her hands clasped while sporting Diana's instantly-recognizable hairdo.
In an interview with The Times, Corrin said stepping into this role with such high expectations has been "overwhelming since the beginning," and that she wants to do Diana "proud." She said, "I know that's strange and cheesy, but I feel like I know her."
Season four of The Crown will take place between 1979 and 1990, a testy period for the royal family in which Diana not only marries Prince Charles (Josh O'Connor), but Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) reacts to new policies implemented by Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson). The new season will also welcome back Princess Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter), Prince Philip (Tobias Menzies) and Princess Anne (Erin Doherty).
Scroll down to see more photos of the season four cast in character.
When the time came to transform into Princess Diana, Corrin had jitters. "Initially I was very daunted, very much listened to the noise, heard all the voices, and got quickly frustrated and quite scared about it and thought, ‘This isn't actually giving me anything to work with," she told E! News. "So then I very much had to put blinkers on and just do my own thing."
Corrin continued, "I realized this is a character that I'm playing. This is The Crown's version of Diana. I can bring a lot of what I want to do with this part. Everything that resonates with me. That really changed it for me. It doesn't remove the pressure and the responsibility that I feel, but it made it more manageable to do the role."
During an interview with Radio Times, according to People, she revealed that Diana's battle with bulimia was a storyline she insisted the writers explore. Corrin said, "We'd been working on her body language, and we put together a document that we sent to the script team and said: 'Can you include some of this in the writing because we'd love to really flesh out those scenes?'"
Corrin continued, "I felt that if we were trying to depict bulimia in an honest way, we had to actually show it—otherwise it's a disservice to anyone who has been through that," she said. "I don't think we should shy away from those conversations; Diana was very candid about her experience with bulimia, and I so admire that."
Not so much. "I try not to think about it because I think it's kind of a slippery slope," she told E!. "I don't know whether they will or they won't watch it. I hope that if they do they enjoy it and appreciate our performances as exactly that—as performances, as interpretations of people who are in the public eye. But I hope that they also don't watch it if they don't want to because understandably it's hard."
To really get Corrin into character, the costume department made sure to get all of her looks as close to the real thing as possible.
"We almost see Diana's entire journey throughout season four," assistant costume designer Sidonie Roberts said in a press kit interview. "We start at the very beginning and see her evolve from a young girl living with her friends in Sloane Square to the makings of a princess, then actually becoming the 'People's Princess,' to finally the beginnings of the end, which we will see more of in season five."
Roberts added, "I think despite the obvious changes, there is a real sense, or arc, of the same person throughout all these stages in terms of how she dresses. There is and always was a sense of playfulness, an openness, and with that a vulnerability that connects her to her image."
According to Roberts, Corrin was nothing but a pro when it came to using the clothes for her characterization. She "completely understood just how integral clothes are to Diana's character and therefore the importance of her costumes for season four and our work," Roberts said. "So, with that said, from the very get-go she was so invested in the most excited, enthusiastic and committed way that it was a real joy for us working together with her."
Season four explores Princess Diana's solo trip to New York City in 1989.
Early in the season, Diana meets with Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Colman) to select the ring.
And yes, you'll get to see Corrin wear a replica of Diana's iconic David and Elizabeth Emanuel wedding dress.
Despite their tumultuous relationship, season four also highlights the moments in which the couple—especially Diana—tried to make it work.
During an interview with E! News, Josh O'Connor joked that his portrayal of Prince Charles might get some viewers to hate him.
No spoilers, but Princess Diana's mood while taking family Christmas portraits warns of her future in season five.
As usual, The Crown's cast will completely change for seasons five and six. Elizabeth Debicki will replace Corrin as Princess Diana. "Princess Diana's spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many," Debicki said in a statement. "It is my true privilege and honor to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one."
Emerald Fennell takes on the role of Prince Charles' other love, Camilla Parker Bowles.
Season four explores Diana's rise to fame—and her relationship with the paparazzi.
There are plenty of moments throughout the season in which Corrin's interpretation of Diana will make you do a double take.
Aside from their few happy days, much of season four finds Diana and Charles bickering.
The actress does a fantastic job of embodying Britain's first female Prime Minister. Aside from Diana and Charles' relationship, the other half of the season is spent exploring the tension between Thatcher and the Queen.
The new season also explores Princess Margaret's relationship with mental health.
And more stoic than ever.
Season four of The Crown hits Netflix on November 15.