Exciting news! The Crown has cast one of its key season four roles: that of Lady Diana Spencer, future wife of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.

Relative newcomer Emma Corrin has been tapped to play the woman who would become the so-called "People's Princess." On Instagram, Corrin hailed Diana as "an icon [whose] effect on the world remains profound and inspiring" and described the role "as the most exceptional opportunity."

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The Crown's creator Peter Morgan said in a press statement announcing the casting: "Emma is a brilliant talent who immediately captivated us when she came in for the part of Diana Spencer. As well as having the innocence and beauty of a young Diana, she also has, in abundance, the range and complexity to portray an extraordinary woman who went from anonymous teenager to becoming the most iconic woman of her generation."

So far, Corrin is best known for appearing in an episode of U.K. TV drama Grantchester, but her profile definitely looks set to grow ahead of her debut on The Crown. She'll be seen in the upcoming Epix drama series Pennyworth, an origin story about the life of Batman's beloved butler Alfred Pennyworth, and also has a role opposite Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keira Knightley, and Keeley Hawes in Misbehaviour, a comedy-drama film about the controversy-packed 1970 Miss World beauty contest.

She'll make her debut as Lady Diana Spencer in season four of The Crown, which is due to start shooting later this year.

In the meantime, season three is due to debut on Netflix this year. It will introduce Oscar winner Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth, Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret and Game of Thrones' Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip.

Meanwhile, rising star Josh O'Connor will portray a young Prince Charles and Gillian Anderson has been cast as Margaret Thatcher. The prospect of seeing them all on screen together is almost too exciting!

Are you excited to see Lady Diana Spencer in The Crown?