The Unpredictable Princess...

Helena Bonham Carter on the challenges of playing rebel royal Princess Margaret

- Sean Marland

In a glittering career spanning over 30 years, Helena Bonham Carter has brought many famous figures to life on the big and small screens, including author Enid Blyton in BBC4’s 2009 biopic Enid and the Queen Mother in 2011 film The King’s Speech.

The actor has now added another icon to her bow – the Queen’s younger sister, Princess Margaret, in the third series of The Crown on Netflix. And her performance as the disenchanted royal is simply remarkable as the lavish period drama moves through the 1960s and into the 1970s.

TV Times caught up with Helena, 53, during a break in filming to chat about her portrayal…

What was your reaction when you were asked to take over the role from Vanessa Kirby, who played Margaret in the first two seasons?