Humayun Saeed, a Pakistani actor and producer, is set to star in Netflix’sThe Crownin its upcoming fifth season. The royal family drama has garnered much attention and many fans throughout four seasons with a star-studded cast including Olivia Coleman, Helena Bonham, Gillian Anderson, and Claire Foy. Saeed will play the role of Dr. Hasnat Ahmad Khan, a British-Pakistani heart and lung surgeon who had a romantic relationship with Princess Diana from 1995 to 1997.Elizabeth Debicki will play Princess Diana.
Saeed is best known for his work as an actor in Pakistani films and television. Starring in films such asJawani Phir Nahi Ani, its sequelJawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, and the movieBin Roye. He has also won many accolades due to his performances, such as an ARY award and a Hum TV Award. Saeed’s casting makes him the first Pakistani actor to have a role in a Netflix Original series. The casting news was first announced by various Pakistani media outlets, followed by a congratulatory tweet from fellow Pakistani Actress Mahira Khan. ThenVarietybroke the news about the casting as well.
Khan had a two-year relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales. It was also known that Princess Diana used to call him “Mr. Wonderful.” In May of 1996, Diana even visited Khan and his family in Lahore.
Paul Burrell, Diana’s butler, also described Khan as her true soulmate in his bookDiana: The Royal Truth. Diana’s friends are reported to have described Khan as the “love of her life” and to have spoken of her heartache after their relationship ended in June 1997. He, however, is said to be reserved when talking about Princess Diana and how much they meant to each other. Khan did, however attend Diana’s funeral ceremony at Westminster Abbey in September 1997.
In March 2008, Khan said in a written statement to Lord Justice Scott Baker’s inquest into Diana’s death that their relationship began in the late summer of 1995, and that although they had talked about getting married he believed he would have found the media attention to be “hell.” Khan also mentioned that he thought the car crash which caused Diana’s death was just a tragic accident.
In May of 2006, Khan married 28-year-old Hadia Sher Ali, who was descended from Afghan royalty in Pakistan. However, In July 2008, Khan and Ali filed for divorce in the local arbitration court of Islamabad.
Season 5 of the Crown does not yet have a release date, but fans can expect to see it in November 2022. Until then, you’re able to catch up on seasons 1-4 streaming now on Netflix.
