Photos of a scene from Netflix’s “The Crown” allegedly showing the actress Elizabeth Debicki depicting Princess Diana’s final moments have emerged.
The images show Debicki in a car alongside actor Khalid Abdalla, who portrays Diana’s boyfriend Dodi Fayed, during a moment where she appears to be chased by the paparazzi before her apparent on-screen death. The scene, according to photos, seems to end under the Alma Bridge in Paris.
The portrayal of Princess Diana’s death has been a topic of controversy during the filming of Season 5. Netflix told The Sun this month it will not be showing Princess Diana’s car crash.
The images released Thursday do not depict a collision, and Deadline confirmed last month the crash would not be re-created in the series. Events leading up to the Princess of Wales’ death and the aftermath would be the focus instead.
Images reportedly from the set show a black Mercedes being tailed by swarms of motorcycles with paparazzi holding up cameras. The photos are said to be events filmed for Season 6.
Netflix did not immediately return a request for comment.
Princess Diana died in 1997, at the age of 36, following a car accident in Paris’ Pont de l’Alma tunnel after being hounded by paparazzi. The world was in mourning for months, and her death is still a sensitive subject for many around the world.
A source from “The Crown” reportedly said that crew members were discussing how to portray the princess’ death on screen. According to the Irish Sun, the scenes depicting Diana’s tragic death “sparked fury.”
“To be going back to Paris and turning Diana’s final days and hours into a drama feels very uncomfortable. Finally, some of the crew members are pushing back,” the source told The Sun.
“The show always tried to present a fictional version of royal history with as much sensitivity as possible. But lately, as things get closer to the present day, it feels harder to strike that balance. With some of those moments still so fresh and upsetting, it feels as though a line is being crossed,” the source said, as reported by The Sun.
Season 5 of the historical drama — out Nov. 9 — will find Debicki taking over the Diana role from Emma Corrin, as Dominic West, 53, succeeds Josh O’Connor in the Charles role.