Prince Harry and William Lookalikes Wanted for 'The Crown'

Prince William and Harry lookalikes, listen up! Netflix has launched an international search for actors to play the young princes, who will have "significant roles" in the upcoming season 6 of The Crown—no experience necessary.

"It's that time folks...Prince William & Harry - Season 6. This is an incredible opportunity! Please help us spread the word," casting associate Kate Bone said in putting out a call on Twitter for actors to star in the latest chapter of the award-winning TV drama based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

The streaming giant said it is looking for "two exceptional young actors to play Prince William and Prince Harry in the next series" of The Crown.

"These are significant roles in this award-winning drama and we are looking for a strong physical resemblance," the casting notice said. "No previous professional acting experience required."

The notice states that the princes will span the ages of 16-21 during the season, which charts the years immediately following the tragic death of Princess Diana when William was aged just 15 and Harry only 12.

Netflix has set aside two months for the international search for actors to play Harry and William with filming scheduled to start in the U.K in August.

Season five of The Crown is due for release in November with season six—the final installment—expected to be screened some time in 2023. The cast changes as the royal figures they are portraying age.

Views expressed by members of the British royal family about seeing themselves depicted in the popular drama series have been mixed.

In a 2021 interview with James Corden, Harry said he was "comfortable" with the Netflix show following criticism of his signing a lucrative contract with the streaming platform despite its explicit portrayals of his parents' turbulent marriage and mental health. He told Corden:

"They don't pretend to be news. It's fiction...But it's loosely based on the truth.

"It gives you a rough idea about what that lifestyle, what the pressures of putting duty and service above family and everything else, what can come from that. I'm way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife, or myself."

William is known to be less pleased with the portrayals of his mother and family members. Speaking to talk show host Graham Norton, Oscar-winning actress and season 2 and 3 Crown cast member Olivia Colman said that she had asked the prince if he'd watched the series; "His answer was a firm, 'No.'"

The most recent royal seal of approval for The Crown came, unexpectedly, from one of the most senior members of the royal family - Prince Charles' wife Camilla.

At an International Women's Day event held at Clarence House by the Duchess, the actress Emerald Fennell, who played the character of Camilla in seasons 3 and 4 of the Netflix series, was an invited guest. During her introductory speech Camilla even made reference to her fictional counterpart, saying:

"It is reassuring to know that, if I should fall off my perch at any moment, my fictional alter ego is here to take over. So, Emerald, be prepared!"

Camilla's praise for the Crown actress was surprising as her relationship with Prince Charles during his marriage to Princess Diana was a central storyline in the drama's most recent season.

Diana's representation during season 4 of the Netflix drama drew criticism for its portrayal of the princess's mental health and fictionalized plot lines. In Britain a call for a disclaimer was launched by the then-secretary for digital, media, culture and sport Oliver Dowden. He told the Mail on Sunday that "Netflix should make it clear at the very beginning" the series is a work of fiction because, "Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact."

Netflix stood clear on its position with a rebuttal which stated "we have every confidence our members understand it's a work of fiction that's broadly based on historical events. As a result, we have no plans—and see no need—to add a disclaimer."

The final seasons of The Crown will depict some of the most trying years of Elizabeth II's reign with the 1992 'annus horribilis' showing the devastating fire at Windsor Castle and the breakdown of the marriage of Charles and Diana.

Imelda Staunton takes over the role of the Queen from Olivia Colman for season 5, Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana and Dominic West joins the cast as Prince Charles.