Josh O’Connor has revealed his difficulties playing Prince Charles in The Crown, while appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair’s star-studded Hollywood issue.
The 34-year-old actor from Southampton admitted he wasn’t too keen on the idea of playing a royal person and was worried about feeling “guilty” about his portrayal of the young king.
Josh first played Prince Charles in the third season of the hit Netflix series and then worked alongside Emma Corrin’s Princess Diana in the fourth season.
talking to vanity fair, Josh explained that taking on the role of royal was a daunting task for him.
He explained: “When I started working on Charles, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of playing a real person. The prospect of playing someone who exists, particularly someone who is present in our national psyche, was very daunting.”
Josh O’Connor has revealed that he had trouble playing Prince Charles in The Crown (pictured from the Netflix series)
The actor has appeared on the cover of the Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair (LR Glen Powell, Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldana, Dev Patel, Sydney Sweeney, Josh, Danielle Deadwyler, Jonathan Bailey, Lisa, Ncuti Gatwa and Bill Skarsgard) .
He continued: “With Charles, it was like I did the research, everything that helps put a script together, but I never considered it having played Prince Charles.”
When asked how he feels about his portrayal of the Prince, Josh responded, “I just don’t want to feel guilty. That’s how I apologize.
The biggest stars of 2025 have gathered for the Hollywood edition of Vanity Fair.
A dozen of the industry’s biggest names appeared in force on the 31st cover and gave insight into how they have become industry pioneers.
Zendaya, Nicole Kidman and Sydney Sweeney lead Hollywood royalty and show off their incredible style in designer outfits for the captivating photoshoot.
They join the likes of Josh, Glen Powell, Zoe Saldana, Dev Patel, Danielle Deadwyler, Jonathan Bailey, Lisa, Ncuti Gatwa and Bill Skarsgard.
The 33-year-old actor from Southampton admitted he wasn’t too keen on the idea of playing a royal person (pictured alongside Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth).
Josh first played Prince Charles in the third season of the hit Netflix series and then worked alongside Emma Corrin’s Princess Diana in the fourth season (pictured).
Josh is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men.
Photographed by Gordon Von Steiner and styled by George Cortina, the portfolio features stunning solo portraits and interviews with the stars.
Josh is fast becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men, best known as Larry in ITV’s The Durrells and for his portrayal of young Prince Charles in 13 episodes of The Crown.
But his growing fame was cemented in Challengers, with his performance as Patrick, a cocky tennis pro.
He is one of several actors, including Paul Mescal, who have risen to fame for portraying more nuanced aspects of masculinity.
Although Josh put it more clearly in an interview: “I think we’re all still trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with men.”
His role in the 2017 film God’s Own Country fits into this category. As her character falls in love with a man, she discovers more of his soul… and more of his body.
Josh rose to fame for his portrayal of Patrick in the film Challengers (pictured)
Nudity was no less frontal in the romantic drama Mothering Sunday, whose intimate sex scenes attracted attention.
Josh explained: ‘I feel pretty comfortable in that situation. “We all feel insecure about our bodies, but I love trying to play a character in all their truth.”
As for his love life, the actor was recently linked to Saltburn star Alison Oliver and the pair were spotted together in Italy.
The actor was walking through Bologna this week hand in hand with the 27-year-old actress.
Fans recognized the couple from a library of films and photographs and posed for selfies, in photos obtained by The Sun.
A source told the publication: “Josh and Alison have a lot in common and have enjoyed getting to know each other away from the spotlight.
“Despite their important roles, they prefer to hang out in libraries than at big glamorous events.”