Netflix denies rumors that nobody wants to play Prince Andrew on The Crown
A recent rumor suggested finding someone to play Prince Andrew on The Crown has been a royal headache — but Netflix is shooting it down.
The British tabloid The Sun claimed the hit Netflix series about Queen Elizabeth II is "struggling to find an actor to play unpopular Prince Andrew," who stepped back from public duties in 2019 after coming under fire for his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. An Epstein accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has also alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17, which Andrew denies.
"Prince Andrew is one of the most unpopular members of the royal family and wannabe stars aren't exactly queing up to play him," a casting source claimed to The Sun. "It's not the sexiest role and is unlikely to set a Hollywood career alight."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The report also cited the fact that producers had "resorted to advertising the role on" Spotlight, "a job website for out-of-work actors." But a representative for the show told Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter there's been no such difficulty finding someone for the part.
"There is absolutely no struggle to cast any role for season 5 of The Crown and it is normal practice for productions to advertise in Spotlight," the spokesperson said.
Prince Andrew appeared in the fourth season of The Crown and was played by Tom Byrne, the Reporter notes, although season 5 will see the show recast key roles including the queen herself. The next season is expected to pick up in the 1990s — though if the show ever does go all the way up to 2019, an episode featuring Andrew's disastrous Epstein interview would be quite a doozy.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published