From the courtroom to royal courting, American Crime Story actor Sarah Paulson could be in line to play Princess Diana in the second season of Feud.
During Sunday's American Horror Story panel at PaleyFest, Paulson's co-star Kathy Bates repeatedly referred to her as "the people's princess," reported both Entertainment Tonight and Vanity Fair.
That is an interesting choice of words because "the people's princess" was the moniker often used in the press to describe the late royal, whose charitable work—particularly with AIDS patients—made front page news. Then-U.K. prime minister Tony Blair also used the term in his television address to the nation following Diana's death in a car crash in 1997.
Fans and various media outlets have named Paulson as their dream casting for Diana since FX announced the premise for season two of Feud, the latest show in Ryan Murphy's stable of anthology series, in February.
Paulson taking the role would make a lot of sense as she is Murphy's golden goose, appearing in both American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and numerous seasons of American Horror Story.
Her role as O.J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark last year was met with critical acclaim and earned her both a Golden Globe and Emmy for outstanding actress in a limited series.
Feud: Charles and Diana will follow the royal couple's acrimonious marriage and divorce.
The first season, currently airing on FX, is about the bitter Hollywood feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford—played by Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange, respectively. Paulson has a small role as actor Geraldine Page.
Paulson will appear in the seventh season of Murphy's American Horror Story, premiering this fall, and is also rumored to join the Hurricane Katrina-themed second season of American Crime Story.
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