Emma Corrin: From Princess Diana to Marvel Villain, Navigating a Non-Binary Identity, and Overcoming ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Comparison Fears
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, Emma Corrin is making history. The 30-year-old actor, who skyrocketed to global fame portraying Princess Diana in The Crown, has become the first non-binary star to grace the cover of Variety’s “Power of Women” issue—a milestone Corrin admits brought initial hesitation.
“When it first came up, I was actually terrified,” Corrin confesses. “It’s all about labels, isn’t it? Labels that on one hand mean nothing, and on the other hand mean so much and can be so confusing.”
Having swapped their formal photoshoot attire for a simple blouse and jeans, Corrin speaks with a sense of calm. “I am incredibly proud to be the first non-binary person in this position. Today, more than ever, it’s vital that people lift each other up, regardless of their identity. This event doesn’t just have to be about women celebrating women; women, queer people, and non-binary individuals can all come together to celebrate the power of women, and that is beautiful.”
As Corrin’s fame peaked during The Crown, they were simultaneously navigating a personal journey of self-discovery. Corrin came out in 2021 and updated their pronouns in the summer of 2022. Today, they speak openly about their identity to inspire others, while acknowledging that balancing private life with a public platform remains a delicate act.
Six years after playing Diana, the late princess still holds a significant place in Corrin’s mind. With bright eyes, they share, “I loved Diana and threw my whole heart into that role. I don’t think jobs like that come around very often in an actor’s life. I’ve had many roles I’ve loved since, but Diana felt entirely different.”
Stepping into Diana’s shoes was initially daunting, but Benjamin Caron, a director on The Crown, advised Corrin to channel that fear into the character. “The day I got the part, the director told me that from this moment on, my life would change in the exact same way Diana’s did, so I should bottle up all those feelings. That gave me a lot of comfort and made me feel less alone in the experience.”
The release of season four during the height of the pandemic in 2020 shielded Corrin from immediate media frenzy, as interviews were conducted remotely via Zoom from their bedroom. However, sudden fame had a darker side. Following their coming-out announcement, Corrin faced severe online backlash from general audiences who associated them strictly with Diana. The trolling led Corrin to deactivate their Instagram account for a year. While they have recently returned to the platform, their comment section remains strictly turned off to keep the negativity away.
Corrin’s first love was theater. Growing up in a quiet town southeast of London alongside two brothers, television time was limited. “I used to save up my money to take the train into London to watch plays,” they recall. “I was always drawn to the stage.” By age 15, Corrin knew acting was their calling, though they faced consecutive rejections from drama schools. “In the audition room at RADA, the panel asked if I had a backup career in mind. Hearing that at that age was brutal!”
They ultimately attended the University of Cambridge, studying Education, English, Drama, and the Arts while remaining heavily involved in university theater. In their final year, Corrin secured an agent, and just a year later, landed the role in The Crown—a turning point that transformed their trajectory.
After handing the role of Diana over to Elizabeth Debicki, Corrin found that filmmakers frequently pigeonholed them into period dramas. Following turns in My Policeman and Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Corrin took a major gamble by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a central antagonist. In the 2024 blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine, Corrin starred alongside Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, delivering a menacingly controlled and unhinged performance as Cassandra Nova, Professor X’s villainous twin sister, sporting a completely shaved head.
Moving from low-budget indie dramas to one of the biggest blockbusters in cinematic history was an eye-opening experience. “I felt like I was in a massive theme park, constantly thinking, ‘This isn’t real, I just have a guest pass!'” Corrin says. However, Reynolds, Jackman, and director Shawn Levy kept the environment welcoming. Though Cassandra meets her demise at the end of the film, Corrin laughs, “I would 100% play her again. I’d love a buddy comedy about the relationship between Professor X and Cassandra!”
Despite efforts to step away from historical dramas, Corrin’s next major project pulls them back into a literary adaptation. They are set to star as the iconic Elizabeth Bennet in Netflix’s upcoming series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Following the celebrated 2005 film adaptation starring Keira Knightley, director Euros Lyn (Heartstopper) is reimagining the classic romance for a new generation.
As a dedicated Jane Austen fan, Corrin admits to being anxious about the undertaking. “I’m genuinely terrified because I know people naturally compare performances to previous versions, and I’m critical of that myself. But I’m also incredibly excited; it was one of the best working experiences I’ve had, especially because the crew and cast featured so many women, which brought a completely different energy to the set.”
Corrin’s upcoming slate also includes an untitled A24 horror feature alongside Hunter Schafer and Sophie Wilde. At this stage in their career, Corrin is focused on experimentation and breaking expectations. “My goal is to find roles I haven’t done before. I’d love to do something with fast-paced, high-tension dialogue like Succession. I don’t want to just stand around staring longingly out at the horizon anymore; my days of yearning looks are over!”
Currently taking a break at their beach house, Corrin spends time with their black, fluffy dog. Asked about the dog’s name, Corrin reveals, “His name is Spencer.” When asked if it’s a nod to Princess Diana’s maiden name (Diana Spencer), they laugh with a sigh: “Yes, unfortunately! It seems I can never quite escape the shadow of that role.”
Special Feature: Supporting War Child
Since 2020, Emma Corrin has been actively involved with the international charity War Child, an introduction made by their The Crown co-star Vanessa Kirby. Established in 1993, the organization provides vital assistance to children affected by conflicts in regions including Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Sudan. Having studied childhood development at university, Corrin views supporting this cause as a fundamental duty. Today, one in five children globally—approximately 520 million—lives in a conflict zone, marking the highest figure in history. The organization helps children navigate psychological trauma and access education. “These innocent children are the victims of wars,” Corrin says, “and it is our human responsibility to protect them at all costs.”
