Claire Foy has made peace with the role that put her on the global map. Best known for portraying Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown, the British actor says she doesn’t feel boxed in by the part. Instead of worrying about labels or typecasting, Foy sees the show as a career-defining opportunity that opened doors rather than closed them.
Claire Foy on whether The Crown role has defined her as an actor
Foy, 41, recently told Radio Times that being closely linked to The Crown doesn’t bother her. She pushed back on the idea that playing such an iconic figure is a creative trap. “I don’t think it’s a double-edged sword,” she said, explaining that recognition for one major role doesn’t cancel out future possibilities.
To make her point, Foy referenced another famous performance that became inseparable from its actor. “I doubt Olivia Newton-John hated being known for Grease — I bet she loved it,” she said. Foy added that the situation would feel different if The Crown had been her only job, but that hasn’t been the case. “I don’t feel any pressure to be anything for anyone else. I’m just doing my job.”
Looking back, Foy described The Crown as a turning point after nearly a decade of steady but quiet work. Before the Netflix series, she had been acting for years without widespread recognition. Landing the role of Queen Elizabeth II changed that overnight. “It was like being in a blockbuster film,” she said, noting that the exposure led to opportunities she hadn’t previously been offered. “It’s like the biggest promotion you can imagine.”
Foy exited the series in 2017 after two seasons, a decision she later explained was necessary for her well-being. In a 2023 interview with PEOPLE, she said leaving was about balance and mental health. “For my own sanity, I ended the show when I ended it,” she said. “I let it go and moved on, and I think that’s quite healthy.”
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on ComingSoon.
