Dame Judi Dench reportedly seriously considered playing the Queen Mother in series five of The Crown.
The 87-year-old was said to have been sent a script while talking to the Netflix drama’s producers about taking on the role, which eventually went to actress Marcia Warren, 78.
According to The Times, sources said both The Crown and Dench were”taking it seriously” – but the publication added there was conflict between the actress and producers over the Queen Mother being a relatively small role, as well as alleged disputes on her payment.
The report comes despite Dench accusing The Crown of being”cruelly unjust” to the royal family. The Oscar winner, who was made a Companion of Honour in 2005 and played Queen Victoria in the films Mrs Brown and Victoria and Abdul, also accused the Netflix show of “sensationalism” and said it should open with a warning it is “fictionalised drama” and not historical fact.