Actors refused parts in my royal drama in case it cost them an honour, says director
ACTORS refused to be involved in a controversial show about the future reign of Prince Charles in case it damaged their chances of receiving an honour.
King Charles III, to be screened on BBC 2 on May 10, shows the funeral of Queen elizabeth and the ghost of Princess Diana.
The series is based on a popular West end play of the same name, which imagines Prince Charles as king.
rupert Goold, who directed both the stage and television adaptations, said some actors did not want to be involved with the project, which has already attracted criticism for its subject matter.
Speaking to radio Times, he said: ‘even with the stage version, we’d been through long conversations with lawyers and certain actors refusing to be involved because of how it might affect their future relationship with the honours system.’
The series stars the late Tim Pigott-Smith, who also played Charles in the stage adaptation. It will show Prince William (played by Oliver Chris) and the Duchess of Cambridge (Charlotte riley) as they plot against the king, with Kate goading her husband to seize the throne.
The drama ends with Charles’s abdication and William’s coronation.
Miss riley said: ‘I prefer to see her actions as pragmatic, her business-brain under- standing that the royal Family has to remain relevant to the public.’
Chris said the scene where he speaks to Diana’s ghost was ‘pretty shocking stuff’. he added: ‘I hope it’s done with enough intelligence and sensitivity not to be gratuitous. I’m very conscious that it’s a real person.’ richard Goulding will play Prince harry, with his republican girlfriend, Jess edwards, played by black actress Tamara Lawrance. The play was written before harry met Meghan Markle, so she is not part of the script.
Pigott-Smith, who died last month aged 70, did not fall out of favour with the royals for his role, receiving an OBe for services to drama after the play’s London stage run. Goold has also received an honour, being given a CBe for his drama work.