Ed McVey X FAULT Magazine
Photography: Joseph Sinclair at John Parkinson Agency
Styling: Krishan Parmar at Carol Hayes Management
Grooming: Josh Knight at Caren using Patrick’s Grooming
Photography Assistant: Joseff Williams
As Netflix’s The Crown draws to a close, Ed McVey takes on the formidable task of portraying the Prince destined to inherit the show’s namesake. While The Crown goes to great lengths to emphasize that the stories are only loosely inspired by true events, as the royal family and its dramas have been a prominent mainstay in popular culture Appropriately, “The Crown” has evolved into a cultural giant in its own regard.
With The Crown season 6 part two releasing today and Ed McVey’s life set to change forever, we caught up with Ed McVey to discuss the role, his journey and of course, his FAULTs.
Did you feel heightened pressure portraying Prince William during a less familiar and period of his life?
Ed Mcvey: I connected to Prince William in a very human way. The beauty of Peter Morgan’s writing is that he just writes people. He uses the royal family as a vessel to tell human stories, and I think it was very easy to connect to. Grief is something that a lot of people can connect to. I have a sibling, and I could connect to the brotherly relationship and relationships in general, with falling in love, falling out of love. I think lots of people can connect to the story.
There’s a lot of work that goes into it, and there’s a lot of research. You can’t ignore the fact that they’re royal because that adds such a texture to their life and the performance of it.
Some members of the British public have a fondness for the royals. Did nervousness on how the public would take to your portrayal of their future king?
Ed Mcvey: You want, just from my own personal ego perspective, people to like your work and think it’s good, for sure. But no, I was never paralyzed by the thought of what people will think. Maybe I have a bit more fear now because it’s reached a stage where I can no longer do anything about it. When you can no longer add to your painting of it, as it were, you start to be like, “oh, could I have done things better and changed something.”
What would you say was the greatest challenge of this role?
Ed Mcvey: Taking on the role in the character’s journey quite early on, around 16 or 17, and then guiding him up to around 25. It was exciting to figure out how to make this character grow physically and psychologically because the years from 16 to 25 are quite influential for a young man. How is he developing, growing and his psychology changing as he turns into a man? That was daunting, but I was really excited by that prospect. I wanted people to believe that this character is aging before their eyes. As challenging as that was, it was the most exciting aspect for me.
I’ve been a massive fan of this show since it started. It was something I would have loved to be a part of when I first watched it. Initially, I thought all the main characters were getting older, so I had missed the boat. When the opportunity came up, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I knew it started with an open casting, and anyone could have auditioned, so I took a chance. I kept going through the stages, and as I progressed, the casting team became more encouraging and excited. Each round was nerve-wracking because you never knew what was going on. When I realized I could do it or even just continue through the auditions, it was an incredibly exciting prospect because I had always loved the show.
What’s one aspect of the show no one has asked you about?
Ed Mcvey: I got to actually drive quite a lot of cars. Well, one car, but quite a lot. And no one’s asked what that was like. Like actual real nice cars!
Did you find yourself looking at the royal family from a new perspective after portraying them in the show?
Ed Mcvey: Yeah, I think because you do so much research, and you have to fall in love with the character a little bit. You really care for them. So, your perspective on them definitely changes, and it’s not an easy job. There’s lots of pressure that they don’t ask for; it’s just bestowed upon them their whole life. They didn’t ask to be born into it, unlike politicians who decide to be in politics. They are born and bestowed with all this privilege, but also all this pressure from the minute they’re born. And that can’t be easy. So, you definitely have a newfound understanding, I suppose, in a way.
What kind of roles are you itching to get involved in next?
Ed Mcvey: I’m not much of a planner, so I’m meandering my way into seeing what’s out there. I’m more focused on the moment. If I’m reading something that sounds exciting, that would be my approach, instead of going into a specific genre. I’ll see what’s circulating out there, and if I read something that has something about it, then I’ll do that. But I’m not really sure. I’ve already exceeded my expectations of my career at this age so much that it’s all a bit unknown. Mentally, I still feel like a drama school graduate in my heart.
What is your FAULT?
Ed Mcvey: I’m a big people-pleaser. It’s one of those weird qualities that’s a bit of a mixed bag. The world would be a better place if people were more inclined to please others, but, yes, it doesn’t serve you, and it can be quite exhausting.