Prince Charles in 1998 and Dominic West in The Crown.

Prince Charles in 1998 and Dominic West in The Crown.Credit:John Stillwell/AP/Netflix

Is it possible that King Charles’ first order of business once ascending to the throne was encouraging show creator Peter Morgan to give him an onscreen glow-up? Perhaps.

Either way,casting West as the too-hot Prince Charles is just one of several major talking points that audiences have debated since season five arrived on Netflix. Let’s unpack.

I see King Charles is in the news again. Hasanother leaky pen got the better of him?

No,all is fine on the biro-front,as far as we know.

Phew. The Monarch is safe for another day.

This story actually concerns Charles’ onscreen portrayal in the latest season ofThe Crown. And in the King’s defence,it’s more about the actor responsible for playing him,Dominic West.

Dominic West,as in Jimmy McNulty fromThe Wire?

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Correct.

Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty in The Wire.

Dominic West as Jimmy McNulty in The Wire.Credit:HBO

The man can act.

Couldn’t agree more. But even for an actor of West’s vast ability,playing Prince Charles might be a stretch too far.

But Dominic West has serious chops. What’s the issue? Does he not look the part?

Well,that’s half the problem. He looks too good. Ever sinceThe Crown’sfifth season hit Netflix,audiences have pointed out that Dominic West as Prince Charles is rather flattering casting,to put it politely.

You don’t think 1990s Prince Charles was a vibe?

He had his own unique brand of ruddy charm but,based on the audience’s reaction,it seems unanimous that West represents a significant upgrade. The same comments have been made about Olivia Williams,who plays Camilla Parker-Bowles inThe Crown.

Are the actors aware that the internet has deemed them too hot to play royals?

Hilariously,yes. Duringan interview withVariety,both West and Williams were asked their thoughts on being “too hot”. West joked,“Well,I think there’s something in that,you know. I’ve had worse.” While Williams said,“Production will just have to try and suppress how very deeply hot we are for season six.”

“Suppress how very deeply hot we are.” That’s great stuff from Williams.

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It really is. Funnily enough,West initially had his own concerns about playing Charles.

Did he also think he was too hot?

No,but he admitted to almost turning down the role because he felt he didn’t look the part.

“I said,‘You’ve got the wrong guy;I don’t look anything like him,’” WesttoldEntertainment Weekly. He then doubled down in an interview withTown&Country, saying that during his screen test with Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki,who plays Princess Diana,his thoughts spiralled from “I don’t know what I’m doing” to “they’ve horribly miscast me”.

Charles (Dominic West) and Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) in The Crown.

Charles (Dominic West) and Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) in The Crown.Credit:Netflix

If the biggest criticism of The Crownis that the actors are too attractive,then the show is doing just fine.

Well,that’s the other issue. Charles being too hot is far from the only inaccuracy being called out this season. Given this series deals with recent history,it’s becoming more difficult forThe Crownto get away withstretching the truth.

Examples,please.

In an early episode,we see a scene in which Charles meets with then prime minister John Major to discuss the idea of the Queen abdicating and making way for him to take the throne.

Oof,family drama. The Windsors really are the original Kardashians.

Indeed. But it’s widely accepted this chat never happened. Before the show even dropped,a spokesperson for Major issued a statement,saying:“There was never any discussion between Sir John and the then Prince of Wales about any possible abdication of the late Queen Elizabeth II.”

I suppose that’s fair,but surely everyone accepts a little poetic licence has been taken?

Perhaps,butThe Crown has always traded off the idea it is a historically accurate drama. So,when it starts to get fast and loose with the truth,people get upset. In fact,Dame Judi Dench wrote an open letter toThe Times calling for a disclaimer to be added to the show.

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“While many will recogniseThe Crown for the brilliant but fictionalised account of events that it is,I fear that a significant number of viewers,particularly overseas,may take its version of history as being wholly true,” wrote Dench.

Did Netflix comply?

Kind of.They added a disclaimer to its marketing forThe Crown, saying the show is a “fictional dramatisation,inspired by real-life events”. It appears under the YouTube trailer for series five and on the streaming site’s title synopsis page.

You don’t mess with Dame Judi Dench.

Apparently not.

Find out the next TV,streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees.Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.

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