Emma Corrin bio, age, height, relationship, partner, career path 2025

Emma Corrin Biography

Before 2020, Emma Corrin was virtually unknown to audiences worldwide. The aspiring actress had landed a few TV roles but faced countless rejections at auditions. But one project changed everything: when "The Crown" season four premiered, the young actress who brought Princess Diana to life became an overnight sensation. She pulled off what seemed impossible: critics, audiences, and fellow actors all agreed she was the perfect choice to play Lady Spencer. This was further confirmed by the awards she received, from the Golden Globe to an Emmy nomination.

Practically overnight, Emma went from unknown to one of Hollywood's most in-demand actresses. She's also become one of Britain's most daring celebrities, never shying away from shocking the conservative British establishment. Just look at her coming out as non-binary or that unforgettable knitted cardigan and underwear look at the Venice Film Festival.

By 2023, Corrin's calendar was packed solid years ahead. In her personal life, she captured the heart of heartthrob Rami Malek. The actor was so smitten with his "screen Diana" that he ended his relationship with Lucy Boynton to be with her.

Early Years

Emma-Louise Corrin was born on December 13, 1995, in Kent, UK. She spent her childhood in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Emma grew up in a well-off family—her father ran a successful business while her South African-born mother worked as a speech therapist and raised Emma and her two younger brothers.

Emma Corrin with her younger brother as a child

Emma attended an elite all-girls boarding school. It was there that she developed a passion for theater and cinema. In 2005, Emma made her stage debut in the school production of "Toad of Toad Hall," delivering a standout performance as the quirky toad. A classmate's mother was so impressed that she approached Emma afterward, suggesting she seriously consider acting as a career. The suggestion planted a seed that would change Emma's life.

After graduating in 2013, Emma spent several months taking a Shakespeare course at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. That summer, she volunteered as a teacher in South Africa, her mother's homeland.

Subsequently, Emma enrolled at the University of Bristol to study drama. But she was disappointed to find the program focused more on film history than hands-on acting training. A second drama school also left the aspiring actress wanting more. So in 2015, Emma ended up at St John's College, Cambridge, pursuing studies in education, English, drama, and art.

Emma Corrin in a student production (2016)

At Cambridge, she threw herself into student theater, starring in productions like "Romeo and Juliet" and "Unraveling Ribbon," among others. With the famous Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe, Emma appeared in 19 different productions. She even toured Japan with her fellow student performers. Emma graduated in 2018 with her teaching certification, but her heart wasn't in education—it was in acting.

First Roles

Looking to make a living, Emma decided to try her hand at modeling. But the industry wasn't kind to her. At a London Fashion Week fitting, Corrin couldn't squeeze into a pair of pants because of her muscular calves from all that running. The shocked designer said he wasn't used to models who actually played sports. "I wanted to slap him," the future star later recalled.

After that disaster, Corrin was done with fashion for good. She signed with an acting agency and began the waiting game for roles. Meanwhile, she worked as a packer at an online lingerie store to pay the bills.

At first, Corrin could only land tiny parts in short films. But in 2019, she snagged small roles in two big TV shows: "Pennyworth" and "Grantchester." Her next project would change everything – splitting her life into 'before' and 'after.'

"The Crown"

In late 2019, it was revealed that Emma Corrin had been cast as Princess Diana in the fourth season of "The Crown." Surprisingly, the rising actress hadn't expected to land the role. Initially, the series' casting director, Nina Gold, invited her through an agent for a script read, but she was asked to deliver Camilla Parker-Bowles' lines, not Diana's.

Emma Corrin reacts to her Princess Diana scenes in The Crown

On that same day, actor Josh O'Connor, who had already secured the role of Prince Charles, and five other actresses auditioning for the role of the prince's mistress were present. Corrin approached the audition with dedication and preparation, and the production team instantly noticed the unique chemistry between her and her co-star.

A few days later, another audition took place, with the series' showrunner Peter Morgan and producers closely watching Corrin. This time, she read Diana's lines. She masterfully portrayed the transformation of a lanky, awkward girl into the "people's princess," impressing everyone present. She was confirmed for the role that very day. Peter Morgan described her as not only capturing young Diana's innocence and beauty but also displaying remarkable acting range and versatility.

Corrin immersed herself in thorough preparation for the role. She re-watched the documentary "Diana: In Her Own Words" multiple times, studied the princess's letters, and even met with Diana's personal secretary, Patrick Jephson. Emma enlisted help from her mother, a speech therapist, to dissect and mimic Diana's speech patterns and intonations. The actress also had to learn tap dancing, ballet, and jazz dance. "It's awful learning ballet at 24. It's practically impossible; you should start as a child," Corrin said.

How Josh O'Connor & Emma Corrin Get Into Character For Prince Charles & Princess Diana

The most challenging scenes for her were those depicting Diana's struggles with bulimia and family conflicts. She also couldn't forget the weight of the wedding dress made specially for her.

While immersed in this role, Corrin also worked on other projects. In 2020, the movie "Misbehaviour" was released, where Corrin starred alongside Keira Knightley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. A few months later, the fourth season of "The Crown" premiered, catapulting Emma to global stardom.

Emma Corrin at the premiere of 'Misbehaviour'

Both critics and viewers were blown away by her portrayal of Princess Diana, noting their striking resemblance. Corrin received a Golden Globe and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, and was nominated for an Emmy and a solo award from the Screen Actors Guild. The entire cast, including Corrin, was also recognized in the category of "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series."

Emma Corrin's Personal Life

In summer 2021, Emma Corrin opened up about her personal life for the first time, revealing that she identifies as non-binary. She posted photos from a Pop Magazine photoshoot on social media, posing in a wedding dress. The actress captioned the post, "Your favourite queer bride."

Emma Corrin in a photoshoot for Pop Magazine

She later added that she prefers to use the pronouns "she/they" for herself. "When I started writing about this, it was scary, of course. I wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing, but the feedback from the queer community was wonderful," Corrin said.

By late summer 2023, rumors swirled about a romantic relationship between Emma and Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek. Paparazzi caught the pair on several London dates. In September, the pair were spotted sharing a kiss during a Hyde Park stroll. Reports suggested Malek ended his five-year relationship with actress Lucy Boynton for Corrin.

Style

Emma is known for her extravagant style. At the 2022 Laurence Olivier Awards, she wore a dress topped with a bra designed to look like deflated balloons.

Emma Corrin: In The Bag

At the 2023 Venice Film Festival, Corrin rocked a knitted Miu Miu look—a cardigan and underwear worn over black tights.

Emma's also known for experimenting with her hair. After her sleek bob, she tried a blonde mullet before shaving her head completely in 2023.

Emma Corrin Now

"The Crown" transformed Emma from rising talent to breakout star. In 2022, she appeared in the series "Call My Agent" and two period films "My Policeman" and "Lady Chatterley's Lover." Corrin starred as the female lead in both films.

Emma Corrin in 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'

Emma starred alongside Clive Owen in "Murder at the End of the World," which premiered in November 2023. She plays an amateur detective solving a murder at a mysterious billionaire's estate.

Corrin also joined the cast of "Deadpool 3." While details remain under wraps, she hinted at playing opposite Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman's characters. The film hits theaters in 2024. "I'm thrilled to play a villain—I've never done anything like this before," she said.

Emma Corrin in 'Murder at the End of the World'

Emma was also involved in the remake of "Nosferatu," directed by Robert Eggers. Besides Corrin, the gothic horror film featured Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgård, and Willem Dafoe.

Interesting Facts

Upon learning she had secured a role in "The Crown," Corrin immediately adopted a cocker-poodle mix and named it Spencer.
As a child, Emma was a huge fan of Princess Diana: her room walls were covered with pictures of the princess. Her mother in her younger years actually bore a striking resemblance to Lady Spencer.
Corrin suffers from congenital asthma. After an extended shoot in a pool for "The Crown," she needed emergency hospitalization. Doctors discovered her oxygen levels had dropped dangerously low.