Crown pay gap issue has opened my eyes: Claire

Claire Foy says that the controversy over her pay for the series The Crown has changed her approach to Hollywood.

“It definitely opened my eyes to a lot. And I certainly won’t be naïve about those things,” Foy said. “It’s really opened my eyes about what I am allowed to have an opinion about, and what I’m allowed to stand up for myself about. And I think that’s really changed my approach to myself and other women in this industry. It’s been only a positive thing — even though, embarrassing.”

A producer disclosed last month that Foy, who starred as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, was paid less than Matt Smith, who played Prince Philip, because Smith was better known. The gender pay gap has become a big issue in Hollywood after revelations that many female stars have been paid less than their male counterparts. Foy and Smith are being replaced by older performers in the next season of the show.

Foy was in Las Vegas promoting The Girl in the Spider’s Web, which completed filming this month. It’s based on the fourth book in the popular Millennium series revolving around hacker Lisbeth Salander, previously been played in movies by Noomi Rapace and Rooney Mara.

Swedish Author Stieg Larsson, who died in 2004, created the series, and the fourth installment was written by David Lagercrantz.

Foy said that she hadn’t sought their blessing before beginning her work. “I mean, we are all actors. We all know the game. I don’t doubt for a second that those two incredible actresses don’t both hate me and also ...”

It’s really opened my eyes about what I am allowed to have an opinion about, and what I’m allowed to stand up for myself about. And I think that’s really changed my approach to myself and other women in this industry. CLAIRE FOY ACTOR

PHOTO: ERIC JAMISON/AP Claire Foy says the controversy over her pay has been ‘only a positive thing even though, embarrassing’