The Crown star Erin Doherty looks worlds away from Princess Anne in edgy shoot

Her third role out of drama school shot her to fame, when she was cast as Princess Anne in Netflix’s global hit The Crown.

But Erin Doherty has revealed she isn’t chasing the spotlight, instead craving complex and flawed roles that her allow her to ‘do good work’ while also affording her down time with girlfriend Sophie Melville.

The actress, 29, speaks out on her blossoming career and long-term love in a new interview with Porter Magazine, with an accompanying shoot showing the star in a whole new light.

Wow! The Crown star Erin Doherty stars in a new shoot and interview with Porter Magazine, showing the actress in a whole new light

Photographed by Elliott Morgan and styled by Natasha Wray, Erin wows in Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Balmain and Burberry for the shoot, looking worlds away from the tailoring and equestrian ensembles she wore on screen for The Crown. 

Erin admits in the interview that her role as Princess Anne and the subsequent fame the performance bought her ‘made me assess fame really early on. I was like, “What is this weird world? What is it that I like, what do I not like? How do I want to live?” It made me realize I love acting and don’t want to stop doing theater.’ 

And when asked on whether she wants to be famous, Erin exclaimed: ‘Why would you want that? I want to walk down the street!’  

This is me: Styled in edgy designer ensembles and posing in a fish and chip shop, Erin is worlds away from her Princess Anne look in The Crown (right)

Gorgeous: Erin was photographed by Elliott Morgan and styled by Natasha Wray in Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Balmain and Burberry for the shoot

Breakout role: Playing Princess Anne was Erin’s third role out of drama school (pictured in season three of the Netflix hit show)

Next up for Erin is a lead role in upcoming psychological drama Chloe. Her character Becky compares her life to the picture-perfect existences of the Instagram influencers who she follows, compulsively returning to Chloe’s account.  

Erin keeps a low profile in her own life and only unveiled her own Instagram account a couple of years ago. She admits the social media world inhabited by her latest character was one she struggled to relate to. 

‘I’m so introverted, it’s wild. I feel a bit sorry for people who grew up only on Instagram. I used to use MSN then turn off the computer and go downstairs and interact with people. Filming Chloe, I had to download Instagram and it made me depressed. I’d try and get up in the morning, then would just scroll and lose an hour,’ she admitted.  ‘Honestly, it made me feel s**t about myself.’

Low profile: ‘I’m so introverted, it’s wild. I feel a bit sorry for people who grew up only on Instagram,’ Erin admits in the interview

Instead Erin prefers to spend her down time in the London flat she shares with girlfriend and fellow actress Sophie Melville, where they binge reality TV together, including her favourite The Great British Bake Off. 

But the actress confessed Sophie has helped her ditch her sweet tooth: ‘She’s made me so healthy. I used to sit at home eating a bag of chocolates and now we have like, a kale salad.’ 

Erin and Sophie have collaborated onstage and most recently starred together in the production of Ross Willis’ debut play Wolfie at south London’s Theatre503 but Erin said they try not to compete for roles, explaining: 

‘We understand the limits of each other’s work. When a self-tape audition comes in, both of us are like, ‘Let’s drop everything and get it done.’ 

To see the full interview with Erin Doherty read PORTER and/or download the NET-A-PORTER app for iPhone, iPad and Android.

Love: Instead Erin prefers to spend her down time in the London flat she shares with girlfriend and fellow actress Sophie Melville (pictured together in 2019)