Imelda Staunton reveals 'difficult' atmosphere on set of The Crown after Queen Elizabeth's death
Imelda Staunton had a "difficult" time filming 'The Crown' after Queen Elizabeth died.
The 68-year-old actress played the late monarch - who died in September 2022 at the age of 96 following a record-breaking reign of 70 years - in the last two series of the hit Netflix series and when the news broke, it created a "different atmosphere" on set.
She told Yours magazine: "For the better part of three years, I was inhabiting someone real in a true story that was serious and challenging. We'd resumed filming and very soon after, the Queen died, so it was difficult.
"We carried on with as much dignity and grace as everyone always had done but, obviously, there was a very different atmosphere in the world and on set."
The 'Harry Potter' star recalled just having to "carry on" as normal but noted that she and her castmates were all "a bit sad" and the Queen's passing had changed things in some way.
She said: "We just had to carry on as before, but we were all a bit sad. I think it inevitably informed the temperature, if you like, rather than altered the material at all.
"But, there's no doubt, it was different."
Imelda also noted that she had never realised just how much of the late Queen's "strength" rested in her personal faith before taking on the role and "clung on to" that notion whilst playing the part.
She said: "I didn't realise, or think about, how much her faith meant to her. That was an element I clung on to quite firmly and it helped me with her ability to be very still and thoughtful. I realised her strength came from her faith."