Princess Diana’s Biographer Weighs in on Elizabeth Debicki’s Portrayal

Elizabeth Debicki‘s portrayal of Princess Diana has drawn praise from someone who knew her story inside and out.

Debicki plays the late Princess on season five of Netflix’s The Crown, which dropped on the streamer Nov. 9, and her performance has earned raves from author Andrew Morton, who wrote Diana: Her True Story, the sensational biography of Diana released in 1992.

“I’m not exaggerating, I was shaken by how close to the real Diana she is,” Morton exclusively told E! News. “The mannerisms, the gestures, the intonation, everything. She got it spot-on. It was like being back in the room with her. When I first saw it, I was blown away.”

Morton wrote the book with the cooperation and participation of Diana, using their mutual friend James Colthurst as a middle man. The author passed along questions to Colthurst, who then gave them to Diana. She recorded her answers on audio tape for Morton’s use.

The entire orchestration plays out in season five, with Morton played by actor Andrew Steele. Morton said Steele’s performance might not be as pitch perfect as Debicki’s—but he’s just fine with that.

“I think he comes across as compassionate, sympathetic and a bit more earnest than I am,” Morton joked. “Not your typical journalist, someone who’s more thoughtful. Obviously, I’m going to say I like it.”