Imelda Stauntonis revealing where she was when she learned ofQueen Elizabeth’s death.
The actress, 67,appeared onThe Graham Norton ShowFriday, where she shared her reaction to the loss of the late monarch, whodiedin September 2022.
Noting that she was at first confused, the actress said that production then alerted her it was tied to the Queen’s death and asked if she wanted to pause filming, which she declined.
Imelda Staunton attends ‘The Crown’ Finale Celebration at The Royal Festival Hall on December 05, 2023 in London, England.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Queen Elizabeth’s death was announced on Sept. 8, 2022. The late monarch was 96.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” Buckingham Palace announced in an official statement at the time. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.“Upon the Queen’s death, the United Kingdom — where she had reigned for a record 70 years — andother nations that called her the head of state or Sovereignwent into public mourning.Queen Elizabeth left behind four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren at the time of her death.
Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II in ‘The Crown’ Season 6.Justin Downing/ Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
Justin Downing/ Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
Staunton portrays Queen Elizabeth onThe Crown’s final two seasons, afterClaire Foyhelmed the role during seasons 1 and 2 andOlivia Colmantook over the part for seasons 3 and 4.
When she acquired the role, Staunton spoke to presenter Emma Barnett on BBC radio’sWoman’s Hourabout the “extra challenge” that came with playing a more contemporary version of the Queen.
“I think my sort of extra challenge, as if I needed it, is that I’m now doing the Queen that we’re a little more familiar with,” the actress — who is most popularly known for playing Dolores Umbridge in theHarry Potterfilms and as Lady Bagshaw in theDownton Abbeymovie — explained at the time.
“With Claire Foy, it was almost history, and now I’m playing one that people could say, ‘She doesn’t do that,’ or ‘She’s not like that,’ and that’s my personal bête noire,” Staunton added.
The final episodes ofThe Crownare currently streaming on Netflix.
source: people.com
