There has been no shortage of screen portrayals of Princess Diana over the years – and Kristen Stewart is the latest actor to play the people’s princess in new biopic Spencer, from Chilean director Pablo Larraín.
Having helmed the Oscar-nominated film Jackie in 2016, Larraín has form for making unconventional films about prominent twentieth-century women, and his latest promises to be every bit as intoxicating.
Bringing this project to the screen has not been easy, especially when COVID delays are thrown into the equation – and indeed producer Paul Webster recently labelled the film “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
In an interview with Screen Daily, he also urged fans to see the film on the big screen. “I am a huge supporter of cinemagoing and it’s given me an amazing career,” he said.
“I would like to give back and try and support it as much as I can. Pablo was also absolutely committed to making a film for the cinema. If we can retain the theatrical experience, everybody benefits — the audience, filmmakers and culture in general. It’s not an experience you can replicate, no matter how sophisticated your home entertainment system is.”
With a UK release date now confirmed, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Princess Diana film Spencer.
Spencer release date
CONFIRMED: Spencer will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on 5th November following its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on 7th October.
The film debuted at the Venice International Film Festival in September.
Production began in January 2021 in Germany, with Friedrichshof Palace standing in for Sandringham, before moving to the UK for the final stretch of filming in March.
Spencer plot
!["SPENCER]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/06/SPENCER-First-Look-7f68494.jpg?quality=90&resize=490%2C413" "\"SPENCER")
Directed and produced by Pablo Larraín (Jackie), the film will take place over the course of three days during a fateful Christmas holiday spent at the Queen’s Sandringham estate, when Princess Diana (née Diana Spencer) decided to divorce her husband, Prince Charles.
“I’ve always been intrigued and fascinated by the Royal Family and how things are in that culture, which we don’t have where I come from,” Larraín told Deadline.
He continued: “It’s about finding herself, about understanding that possibly the most important thing for her is to be well, and to be with herself and by herself. That’s why the movie is called Spencer, which is the family name she had before she met Charles.
“It’s very contained, set over a few days in Sandringham. They spent Christmas there for many years and that’s where we set the movie in the early ‘90s, around 1992, we’re not specific. It’s Christmas Eve, Christmas and Boxing Day, three days, very contained. We get to understand what it is she wants and what she will do.”
The film was written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight – whose film writing credits include Locke and Allied – while Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood has composed the film’s score.
Spencer cast – who plays Princess Diana?
!["Kristen]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/06/GettyImages-1198156354-5c5a863.jpg?quality=90&resize=561%2C413" "\"Kristen")
Princess Diana will be played by Kristen Stewart (Twilight, Charlie’s Angels), whose casting was praised by director Larraín.
“I’ve seen movies from Kristen that are so diverse it’s incredible, showing different layers and her diversity and strength as an actress,” he said. “We’re very happy to have her, she’s very committed. As a filmmaker, when you have someone who can hold such a weight, dramatic and narrative weight just with her eyes, then you have the strong lead who can deliver what we are looking for.”
Stewart certainly acknowledged the difficulty that comes with portraying such a beloved icon, and ahead of filming told InStyle of the extensive preparation she had undertaken for the role.
“In terms of research, I’ve gotten through two and a half biographies, and I’m finishing all the material before I actually go make the movie,” Stewart said. “It’s one of the saddest stories to exist ever, and I don’t want to just play Diana—I want to know her implicitly. I haven’t been this excited about playing a part, by the way, in so long.”
Poldark star Jack Farthing will play Prince Charles, following in the footsteps of Dominic West who was also announced to be playing the role in The Crown.
Sew Torn actor Thomas Douglas will be portraying Diana’s father John Spencer, while German model and actress Olga Hellsing will make her film debut as Sarah Ferguson.
Tatort’s Niklas Kohrt will be depicting Prince Andrew, while Torchwood actress Amy Manson is curiously listed as playing Anne Boleyn.
Timothy Spall, Sean Harris and Sally Hawkins are also set to star in undisclosed roles.
- For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides.
Spencer trailer
Yes, a first-look teaser trailer has been released:
And before then, the film’s rather stunning poster which was publicly released from CinemaCon, which you can enjoy below:
!["Spencer_TeaserPoster"]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/06/Spencer_TeaserPoster-a5b13f0.jpg?quality=90&resize=279%2C413" "\"Spencer_TeaserPoster\"")
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