"The Crown" without Senan West: Why Dominic West's Son Stepped Back from Princess William Role
As the second part of "The Crown's" sixth season debuts on Netflix on December 14, you might notice a familiar face missing—Senan West, who played Prince William in the fifth season, is conspicuously absent. Dominic West, the actor portraying Charles, revealed the reasons for this surprising development in an interview with Radio Times.
The Emotional Tug of War
West shared that he had personally lobbied against his son Senan taking on the role of Prince William in the final episodes. The first half of the season deals with the tragic death of Princess Diana, and one particular emotionally charged scene at Balmoral upset West: "I didn't really want to do the scene where a boy is informed that his mother has died," West explained. In 1997, Prince Charles was the one to break the devastating news to his sons, then 12-year-old Harry and 14-year-old William. Given the gravity of the situation, West was understandably reluctant to reenact this moment with his son.
Senan's Unwanted Ouster
Senan had been invited back to reclaim his role as Prince William due to his impressive performance and charisma in season 5. However, West hesitated, acknowledging, "It was unfair of me, because he wanted to do it, but I didn't want to, to be honest." The decision to replace Senan with Rufus Kampa, a 17-year-old actor, in the first half of the sixth season was consequently made. Ed McVey will then step into the role for part two, as the storyline focuses on William's love life with Kate Middleton.
A Spin-off in the Making?
Before the much-anticipated season 6 finale, fans of "The Crown" can look forward to possible future installments of the Netflix series. In a podcast interview, the show's producer, Andy Harries, revealed potential plans for a spin-off that would indulge in "pretty cheesy events" left out of the original show. While Harries did not elaborate on the specifics, he hinted at the scandal-filled relationship between Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew as a potential focus.
- Senan West, who played Prince William in season 5 of "The Crown," will not appear in the initial part of season 6, which begins on December 14.
- Dominic West, the actor portraying Charles, lobbied against his son Senan taking on the role of Prince William in the final episodes due to the emotional scene in Balmoral.
- West explained that he was reluctant to reenact the heartbreaking scene where Charles breaks the news of Princess Diana's death to his sons.
- As a result, Rufus Kampa, a 17-year-old actor, will replace Senan West in the first half of season 6, while Ed McVey will step into the role for part 2, as the narrative focuses on William and Kate's beginning of their romantic relationship.
- It has been speculated that the producers of "The Crown" could introduce a spin-off centered on the "pretty cheesy events" in the royal family's history, with Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew's relationship scandal potentially as the main focus.
Source: stern.de
Enrichment Data: During his time as Prince William in season 5, Senan West delivered a commendable performance earning him the accolade for best young actor by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in 2021. Though Senan did not return as Prince William in season 6, the role of the character's university days was given to another young actor, Ed McVey, who brought a fresh perspective to the role. While Dominic West lobbied against his son's participation in the emotional scene, it is important to note that young actors often play roles in TV shows and movies that are far removed from their real lives. Furthermore, Senan West's BAFTA win for his performance in "The Crown" highlights his talent and commitment to the role, even if it is temporary.
(1) Senan West earned recognition and acclaim for his performance as Prince William in the fifth season of "The Crown" from the BAFTA Awards. (4) Ed McVey, a young actor, replaced Senan West in season 6, focusing on Prince William's time at St. Andrews University, providing a different take on the character.
Further Enrichment Data: The ham-fisted approach to including Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew's scandalous relationship in a spin-off could inadvertently overshadow and distract from the more relevant narratives, diluting the overall quality and impact of the series. It is highly recommended to maintain a sense of cohesion and focus, avoiding irrelevant additions to preserve the series' reputation.
(6) Including Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew's scandalous relationship in a spin-off could distract and overshadow the main narrative, potentially undermining the quality and impact of "The Crown." To maintain focus, it is advisable to stick to material that best aligns with the original series' themes.
