R.I.P. Haydn Gwynne: ‘The Crown’ Actress Dead at 66

Haydn Gwynne, renowned actress who appeared in The Crown and British series The Windsors, has died. She was 66.

“It is with great sadness we are sharing with you that, following her recent diagnosis with cancer, the star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne died in hospital in the small hours of Friday 20 October, surrounded by her beloved sons, close family and friends,” said her agent in a statement. “We would like to thank the staff and teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their wonderful care over the last few weeks.”

Gwynne first appeared on the scene in the late 1980s with the drama Nice Work prior to starring in several other British series including Peak Practice, Merseybeat and BBC series Rome (as Julius Caesar’s wife Calpurnia).

Her true breakout role, however, was as cynical journalist Alex in the comedy Drop the Dead Donkey, which scored her a BAFTA nomination.

Later in her career, she portrayed several royals including King Charles’ wife Camilla in comedy series The Windsors as well one of Queen Elizabeth II’s ladies in waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, in Season 5 of The Crown.

Gwynne also dabbled in theater, playing Margaret Thatcher in Peter Morgan’s play “The Audience” and Billy’s dance teacher in “Billy Elliot.” She received Olivier nominations for her performance in “City of Angels” in 1994, “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” in 2015 and “The Threepenny Opera” in 2017.

She was scheduled to star in a forthcoming London production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends” but withdrew last month citing “personal reasons,” according to the BBC. According to Variety, a new season of The Windsors was set to begin production this fall.

Channel 4, which airs The Windsors, released a statement paying tribute to the late actor. “Haydn was a force of nature both on-and-off screen. An incredible comic actor who always found the perfect balance of caricature and intensity, of lightness and darkness. She was an amazing person to be around, passionate, impressive and inspiring. From ‘The Windsors’ to ‘Drop The Dead Donkey,’ we are privileged to have worked with Haydn at Channel 4. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this time.”

Gwynne is survived by two sons that she had with her partner, Jason Phipps.