Spencer: first look photo of Kristen Stewart as Princess Diana, release date – and who else is in the cast?

Kristen Stewart is set so play Princess Diana in a new film, with a first-look snap of the actress in the role just released.

Spencer will tell the story of The People’s Princess’ break-up from Prince Charles, and according to Deadline, is set across a weekend at the royal family’s Sandringham estate in the run-up to Christmas.

Over three days, it will chart Diana’s realisation that her marriage to Prince Charles wasn’t working, and her need to change course from a path that put her in line to one day be queen.

Here’s everything you need to know:

What is Spencer about?

Spencer won’t deal with Diana’s tragic death years later, but in zooming in on one particularly emotionally turbulent moment in her life, the film hopes to present a “story about identity.”

“It’s about finding herself, about understanding that possibly the most important thing for her is to be well, and to be with herself and by herself,” director Pablo Larraín told Deadline. “That’s why the movie is called ‘Spencer’, which is the family name she had before she met Charles.

“It’s very contained, set over a few days in Sandringham. They spent Christmas there for many years and that’s where we set the movie in the early ‘90s, around 1992, we’re not specific.”

Who else is in the cast?

Others cast in the film include Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins and Sean Harris; producers have not yet revealed who will play Charles.

Who’s directing it?

The film will be directed by Chilean director Pablo Larraín, a filmmaker who has already proven his female-centred biographical drama chops with Jackie, the 2016 Natalie Portman-starring account of Jackie Kennedy’s days as First Lady, and her life following the assassination of her husband.

The film was a critical success, receiving three Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Portman’s portrayal.

From Santiago to a Norfolk stately home isn’t the most obvious of journeys though, so just why was Larraín drawn to the project? He says it’s the story’s eschewing of typical ‘fairy tale’ tropes.

“We all grew up… reading and understanding what a fairy tale is,” Larraín told Deadline. “Usually, the prince comes and finds the princess, invites her to become his wife and eventually she becomes queen.

“That is the fairy tale. When someone decides not to be the queen, and says, ‘I’d rather go and be myself’, it’s a big big decision, a fairy tale upside down.

“I’ve always been very surprised by that and thought it must have been very hard to do. That is the heart of the movie.

“We want to make a movie that goes wide, connects with a worldwide audience that is interested in such a fascinating life.”

Who’s writing it?

The script is being written by British screenwriter Steven Knight, perhaps best known for his work on Peaky Blinders.

Why has Stewart been cast?

Stewart is a highly competent actress – she was awarded BAFTA’s Orange Rising Star Award at the age of just 20 – but her casting as one of the most famous women in world history is still quite unexpected.

“Kristen is one of the great actors around today,” Larraín told Deadline. “To do this well, you need something very important in film, which is mystery.”

According to the director, Stewart can be “many things… very mysterious and very fragile an ultimately very strong as well, which is what we need.

“The way she responded to the script and how she is approaching the character, it’s very beautiful to see. I think she’s going to do something stunning and intriguing at the same time.”

Larraín was drawn to the actress after seeing movies “that are so diverse it’s incredible, showing different layers and her diversity and strength as an actress.

“We’re very happy to have her, she’s very committed. As a filmmaker, when you have someone who can hold such a weight, dramatic and narrative weight just with her eyes, then you have the strong lead who can deliver what we are looking for.”

When will I be able to watch Spencer?

Spencer is expected to launch in the autumn of 2021, ahead of the 25th anniversary of Diana’s death in 2022.