The highly-anticipated final season of the hit royal drama series, The Crown, is set to explore the weeks leading up to and the aftermath of Princess Diana's tragic death. Australian actor Elizabeth Debicki, who portrays Diana in the series, recently discussed the emotional toll of reenacting the car chase that led to her demise in Paris. Debicki described the experience as "completely unbearable" and expressed her empathy for the late Princess's final moments.

Debicki opened up about the challenging scenes in an interview with Radio Times. "You only have to be in a situation like that for a minute before you realise it's completely unbearable," she revealed. "No one should ever have to experience what it feels like trying to get from one place to another, and to have this swarm around you. You feel very trapped."

The actress emphasized the unique responsibility she felt in portraying Diana's death with authenticity. Speaking to the Mirror, she described it as a "unique challenge" and highlighted her reliance on writer Peter Morgan's "emotional blueprint" for guidance. "It's [Morgan's] interpretation and it made emotional sense to me, so I clung to that. Because, obviously, it's devastating and it's fraught and we can never know," Debicki stated.

The Crown has faced criticism for its portrayal of historical events and its blending of fact and fiction. Actor Dame Judi Dench publicly criticized the show for lacking a disclaimer informing viewers of its fictionalized elements. In response, Netflix has added a "fictional dramatisation" clarification to the new season's trailer.

Addressing the concerns raised, the series producer Suzanne Mackie asserted that the production team took great care in handling sensitive subjects like Princess Diana's death. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV festival, Mackie emphasized their thoughtful approach, saying, "The show might be big and noisy, but we're not. We're thoughtful people and we're sensitive people." She expressed hope that the audience would judge the final season, as it had been "delicately, thoughtfully recreated."

The Radio Times highlights that Princess Diana's death and its aftermath loom large in the final season, with the first four episodes focusing on the weeks leading up to the tragedy and the subsequent national mourning. The last six episodes delve into the monarchy's response to "the people's princess's" demise and culminate in significant events such as William meeting Kate and Charles's marriage to Camilla in 2005.

As fans eagerly anticipate the release of The Crown's sixth and final season, Elizabeth Debicki's sincere portrayal of the late Princess Diana's final moments shines a light on the emotional challenges faced by actors in recreating historical events. With a careful balance between fact and fiction, the series aims to provide audiences with a sensitive portrayal of one of the most significant moments in modern royal history.

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