Movies

British actors can’t play Prince William in new biopic due to Brexit rules


The young William will not be played by a British actor (Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

British actors will be unable to play Prince William in a new film about Princess Diana, due to restrictions introduced after the country leaves the European Union.

As of January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom will have officially left the EU, and it seems this will affect the roles actors can qualify for.

A new casting call for a child to play a young Prince William in the upcoming biopic Spencer stipulates that actors with British European passports will not be considered.

The notice from Amy Hubbard casting read: ‘Amy Hubbard Casting are looking for a boy with a playing age of 9-12 yrs to believably play Prince William at 11 years old.

‘Must have a European passport (NOT British European due to new Brexit rules from January 1st 2021).’

Hubbard later explained to concerned followers that while the rules were to do with Brexit, they concerned financing rather than travel.

She tweeted: ‘It’s not about travel.  It’s common on films that the passport for significant characters needs to match that of the financiers.’

A further tweet read: ‘Wherever finance is from, some of the important roles will need to have same passport / citizenship.  It’s not to do with visa / travel / admin / red tape.’

However, Martin Johnston, who played Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play in London, tweeted: ‘Freedom of Movement ends for UK Citizens in 37 days. 

‘This will adversely impact UK talent. Work abroad will require visas/work permits, which are adversely time consuming for quick turnaround work. Casting service providers, please introduce dual passports as a searchable criteria.’

Kristen will play the Princess of Wales (Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Sharing a screenshot of the Spencer casting call, he added: ‘Here’s proof of how marginalised UK performers of all ages will become post Brexit. This is a casting breakdown. This is not the fault of the Casting Director. It’s the reality of how Brexit will limit opportunity and force people in the UK to work differently with less freedoms.’

Spencer is due to shoot in Germany from January to March, and is being made by Berlin-based Komplizen Film.

However, the movie – starring Kristen Stewart as Diana – will be set on the Sandringham Estate, over the days in the 1990s when Diana realised her marriage to Prince Charles was over.

Speaking to InStyle, Stewart said: ‘We don’t start shooting until mid-January. The accent is intimidating as all hell because people know that voice, and it’s so, so distinct and particular. I’m working on it now and already have my dialect coach.

‘In terms of research, I’ve gotten through two and a half biographies, and I’m finishing all the material before I actually go make the movie.

‘It’s one of the saddest stories to exist ever, and I don’t want to just play Diana — I want to know her implicitly. I haven’t been this excited about playing a part, by the way, in so long.’


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