Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki has joined the cast of The Crown in the role of Princess Diana.

The 29-year-old, known for The Night Manager, will take over from Emma Corrin for the fifth and sixth seasons of the epic royal drama.

The final two seasons of the show will follow The Queen's reign into the early 21st century, a period that will cover Diana's tragic death in 1997.

"Princess Diana's spirit, her words and her actions live in the hearts of so many," said Debicki. "It is my privilege and honour to be joining this masterful series, which has had me absolutely hooked from episode one."

Of her casting, a show source told the Daily Mail: "The role requires a fearless actor to bring truth to this beloved yet complex icon. Elizabeth had that perfect combination of megawatt star quality and vulnerability.

"She was an instant hit - when Elizabeth walked into the room producers were immediately struck by a sheer force of personality and energy and they knew they had found the perfect Diana for the final chapters of The Crown.

"As well as having the acting ability to tackle such a challenging role, the obvious similarities between Elizabeth and Diana in terms of appearance also made her a natural choice."

The final chapters of the show will also see Imelda Staunton take on the role of the ageing monarch, while Jonathan Pryce will portray her husband Prince Philip.