The Crown casts Hanna star as Diana's lover Dodi Fayed

The Crown has found its Dodi Fayed in Hanna actor Khalid Abdalla.

According to Variety, the actor will portray the Egyptian film producer and department store heir who was romantically linked to Princess Diana.

Although the producers are tightlipped about the upcoming season's storylines, it is likely the fifth instalment will partly focus on Diana's last months, giving fans a look into her short-lived romance with Fayed.

Following Diana's divorce from Prince Charles in 1996, she and Fayed got in a relationship in the summer of 1997 and were killed in a car accident in August that year.

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Khalid Abdalla

Abdalla will take on the role opposite Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, who will play Diana in the upcoming season of Netflix's royal drama. The Affair actor Dominic West will portray Prince Charles.

Salim Daw (seen in Oslo) has been cast as Dodi’s father, billionaire and former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Producers of The Crown have so far refused to say whether or not the crash itself will be depicted on screen.

elizabeth debicki as princess diana, the crown season 5

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Earlier this summer, a first-look image of Debicki as Princess Diana wowed viewers. Known most recently for her role in Christopher Nolan's time-manipulating spy thriller Tenet, Debicki's Diana can be seen stretched out on a couch in deep thought.

"It's a dream role. She is such a remarkable human being and she really does still live in the hearts of so many people," the actress explained.

"I'm overwhelmed, I'm terrified and I'm excited. I can't wait to start."

The Crown seasons 1-4 are now streaming on Netflix, while seasons 1-3 are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.