Dominic West links ‘The Crown’ role to Lily James’ photo scandal

As the saying goes, ‘Truth is stranger than fiction’, but Dominic West has found a parallel between the two.

West, who plays King Charles III in Netflix’s historical drama “The Crown,” opened up about his experiences playing the former British prince in an interview with The Sunday Times published Sunday.

“I had a very keen understanding of what it’s like to feel the horror of your name or your picture appearing in the newspapers,” West told the British newspaper. “There’s that horrible freeze moment where something about you is revealed. I think everyone can understand what that feels like.”

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The British actor, who is married to Catherine FitzGerald, then alluded to his rumored infidelity with Lily James, whom he co-starred in the 2021 miniseries “The Pursuit of Love.” In October 2020, apparently affectionate photos of West and James were posted released online, sparking speculation about an affair between the actors.

“I experienced it a few years earlier and it must have been indicative of how I approached (the role),” West continued. “That gut feeling of horror is not something you get used to.”

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Although West described the media attention on his romantic life as an “absurd situation,” he said the rumor provided unexpected comic relief for his family. “It was very stressful for my wife and my children, but there were lighter moments,” the actor said.

“I hesitate to speak on behalf of my wife because it was obviously devastating, especially for her,” West concluded. “But we joke about it sometimes. Because whenever we went out together, the newspapers always said we were “putting on a show of unity.” … And so, when we go out, we basically say, ‘Shall we have a show of unity in London?’ ”

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