Amir-El-Masry-The-Crown

5 Facts About Amir El Masry, the Latest Addition to The Crown

Made in Cairo

Amir-El-Masry-The-Crown

A new season of The Crown is on the way. The Netflix series is set to return to the streaming platform on Nov. 9,  marking the first episode to air following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, and Prince Phillip in April, 2021. 

As the fifth season of The Crown approaches, Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for the new season, in which we can see another set of cast changes that features Egyptian actor Amir El-Masry, who is set to take on the role of the young version of Egyptian billionaire, Mohamed Al-Fayed, father of Diana’s lover Dodi Al-Fayed, who will be portrayed by Kite Runner star Khalid Abdalla. Meanwhile, Salim Daw will play the older incarnation of Mohamed.

El-Masry wrote on Instagram, “Feeling honored and beyond grateful to ‘The Crown’ team for having me onboard Season 5 of the series.”

Born in Cairo in 1990, and raised in London, the actor’s career started with roles in Egyptian films. El-Masry also appeared in Jon Stewart’s debut feature Rosewater and several other acclaimed TV series before his breakthrough role in The Night Manager in 2016, followed by Lost in London in 2017. Today, he is recognized as one of the most acclaimed Arab actors in the film industry, and in 2020, he won the BAFTA for Breakthrough Brit. 

Ahead of the hotly-anticipated new season, MILLE rounds up some key facts about the Egyptian actor that you (probably) didn’t know.

He studied to be a criminologist   

The actor  graduated from the Royal Holloway University in London. He specialized in criminology and sociology. He believes his degrees will serve him to further understand people and why they act the way they do. Notable alumnus from the university include Jojo Moyes, Roxanne McKee, Mark Strong, and KT Tunstall.

He’s a ‘theater kid’

In order to hone his skills and deepen his knowledge, the actor decided to join The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He graduated from the famed institution in 2013 and had many opportunities knocking at his door. He went on to feature in many acclaimed television series such as  The Night Manager (2016), Lost in London (2017), The State (2017), and Age Before Beauty (2018).

His career kicked off after a chance meeting with Omar Sharif

El-Masry’s career started off with roles in Egyptian cinema, following the advice given to him by the legendary filmmaker Omar Sharif during a chance meeting. His breakout role in Ramadan Mabrouk Abou El-Alamein Hamouda (2008) earned him the Best Young Actor award at the Egyptian Cinema Oscar Festival when he was only 18. 

He appeared in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The actor appeared in the Star Wars series, playing the role of Commander Trach in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the cast also included the late Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac, among others.

He will be part of the most exciting season of The Crown

The fifth season follows the aftermath of a fraught Christmas reunion in 1990 as the fourth season’s finale ends with Diana and Charles in the midst of their marital struggles. Among the many challenges facing the monarchy in season 5 is the fight to remain relevant in a world where royal etiquette and convention feels increasingly outdated. 

Although Netflix and The Crown producers aren’t giving away any storylines, we can expect to get some back story of the Egyptian businessman, now 93, who in 2008 famously accused Prince Philip of ordering British security services to kill Princess Diana to stop her marrying a Muslim man and having his baby.

The season stars Elizabeth Debicki and Dominic West as Diana and Charles. Also joining the series are Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki, who play Prince Charles and Princess Diana.  Imelda Staunton and Jonathan Pryce, who will take over the roles of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip from Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies. You can spot Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne, and Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles. Jonny Lee Miller stars as Prime Minister John Major.

 

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