Kristen Stewart will star as Diana, Princess of Wales in the psychological drama The Crown season 4. While the Netflix show ultimately focuses on the life of Queen Elizabeth II, however, Spencer will place Stewart's Diana front and center.
Under the direction of Pablo Larraín (Jackie), the biographical film will orbit around Diana's decision to end her marriage to Prince Charles of Wales amid the Christmas holiday season with the Royal Family in 1991. The project was announced in June 2020 and filming took place in beginning in January 2021; Jack Farthing later ed the cast as Charles in March. Spencer is set to premiere at the International Film Festivals in Venice and Toronto before its theatrical release in the U.S. on November 5.
Spencer has the chance to outdo The Crown's story of Diana because it will do more than just scratch the surface of her life. Because the historical drama on Netflix centers on the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the story isn't a full retelling of Diana's life. Some details were altered, such as the first meeting between Charles and Diana, and some were omitted altogether, like the birth of Prince Harry. The Crown is a fictionalized portrayal, but it seems strange that some of these pivotal moments in the life of Charles and Diana weren't authentically included - or included at all.
With Spencer, however, Diana's perspective will dominate the narrative. Based on the recently released teaser trailer, which juxtaposes warm Christmas scenes with unsettling music and darker undertones, the movie appears to take a deep dive into Diana's inner turmoil. Even the title, Spencer, is a bold choice in its homage to Diana's maiden name and thus her individuality. Unlike The Crown's focus on the queen, Diana will be the main focus this time, and the psychological nature of the film can outdo the show's portrayal.
To be sure, expectations are already high. The fact that Spencer will make its rounds in the ever-important film festival circuit before its theatrical release certainly says something about its potential. The teaser trailer has generated some hype online, and critics are already speculating that an Academy Award for Best Actress could be within reach for Stewart. While Stewart's career has been largely defined by Twilight and her role as Bella Swan in the franchise, Stewart could indeed have a new breakthrough with her performance as Princess Diana in Spencer.
