LONDON (AP) — Claire Foy, the British actress known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in the hit Netflix series “The Crown,” is pleased that her fight for equal pay has had a positive impact on other female actors.
Foy, who portrayed the young Queen in the first two seasons of the show, discovered that she was being paid less than her male co-star, Matt Smith, who played Prince Philip. This revelation sparked controversy and led to discussions about gender pay disparities in the entertainment industry.
The show’s producers initially justified the pay discrepancy by citing Smith’s higher profile at the time. However, as Foy’s star rose and she received critical acclaim and awards for her performance, they promised to rectify the situation in future seasons.
Reflecting on the impact of her battle for equal pay, Foy stated in an interview with The Times, “The difference is, as the female actor, you will get told you get parity. I’ve had people come up to me and say that they’ve been paid equally because of it.”
Foy’s advocacy has had far-reaching effects, prompting greater awareness and action against gender-based pay inequality in the industry. She acknowledged that while the industry may still tend to favor those at the top, the ability to keep such disparities hidden is diminishing.
Beyond her acclaimed role in “The Crown,” Foy is set to appear in the upcoming film “All of Us Strangers” alongside Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal. She also revealed that her favorite scenes on the show were the private moments between the Queen and her husband, which were entirely fictional but offered a deeper understanding of the royal couple’s relationship.
Claire Foy’s fight for equal pay has not only brought about change for herself, but has also influenced the industry as a whole. Her determination to address and rectify the issue of gender discrepancies in pay serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts for equality in the entertainment world.