Josh O’Connor has revealed his struggles behind playing Prince Charles in The Crown, as he graced the cover of Vanity Fair’s star-studded Hollywood issue.
The 34-year-old actor from Southampton admitted that he wasn’t overly excited about the at the idea of playing a real person and was worried he would feel ‘guilty’ over his portrayal of the young king.
Josh first starred as Prince Charles in the third season of the Netflix hit series and later worked alongside Emma Corrin’s Princess Diana in season four.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Josh explained how taking on the role of the royal member was a daunting task for him.
He explained: ‘When I started working on Charles, I wasn’t overly excited at 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 struggled to play Prince Charles in The Crown (pictured in the Netflix series)
The actor has graced the cover of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue (L-R 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 together a script, but I never see it as having played Prince Charles.’
When asked about how he feels about his portrayal of the Prince, Josh replied: ‘I just don’t want to feel guilty. This is how I excuse myself.’
The biggest stars of 2025 have come together for Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue.
A dozen of the biggest names in the industry have come out in force for the 31st cover and given an insight into how they have become trail-blazers in the industry.
Zendaya, Nicole Kidman and Sydney Sweeney lead the 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 that he wasn’t overly excited about the at the idea of playing a real person 9pictured alongside Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth)
Josh first starred as Prince Charles in the third season of the Netflix hit series and later worked alongside Emma Corrin ‘s Princess Diana in season four (pictured)
Josh is fast 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 a young Prince Charles in 13 episodes of The Crown.
But his burgeoning fame was cemented in Challengers, with his performance as Patrick, a cocksure tennis professional.
He’s one of several actors, including Paul Mescal, who have sprung to fame for portraying more nuanced sides of masculinity.
Although Josh put it more bluntly in an interview: ‘I think we’re all still trying to figure out what the f*** is wrong with men.’
His role in the 2017 film God’s Own Country fits into this category. As his character falls in love with a man, he bares more of his soul – and more of his body.
Josh shot to further fame for his portrayal of Patrick in the film Challengers (pictured)
The nudity was no less full- frontal in the romantic drama Mothering Sunday, whose intimate sex scenes raised eyebrows.
Josh explained: ‘I’m pretty comfortable in that situation. We’re all insecure about our bodies, but I love trying to play a character to its total truth.’
As for his love life, the actor was recently linked to Saltburn star Alison Oliver with the pair having been spotted together in Italy.
The actor was strolling through Bologna hand-in-hand with the actress, 27, this week.
Fans recognised the couple at a film and photography library 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 huge roles, they prefer hanging out in libraries rather than big glamorous events.’
