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Crown actor talks about his Lybster experience


By David G Scott

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An episode of the award-winning Netflix drama series The Crown that aired on Sunday featured Lybster Harbour and an actor playing the man deemed by some as responsible for starting the Falklands War.

The Crown follows the story of Queen Elizabeth II from her wedding to present day, with season four focusing on the period from the late 1970s through to 1990.

Oscar Foronda played the significant historical character Constantino Davidoff, an Argentinian businessman that has been held accountable for kicking off the 1982 conflict between Britain and Argentina.

Oscar Foronda plays the significant historical character Constantino Davidoff, an Argentinian businessman held accountable for starting the Falklands War in 1982.
Oscar Foronda plays the significant historical character Constantino Davidoff, an Argentinian businessman held accountable for starting the Falklands War in 1982.

Oscar's scene was filmed at Lybster harbour in September last year and he is so far the only Spanish actor credited for a role in The Crown. He has played roles in numerous international productions along with Julia Stiles, Rupert Graves, Matthew Macfadyen, Sean Penn, Blake Lively and Jason Clark among others.

In an exclusive interview, Oscar talked about his excitement of visiting "the magnetic Scottish northern lands bathed by the endless ocean".

The scene at Lybster Harbour last year as the Netflix drama The Crown was being filmed. Oscar can be seen in the centre of the photograph in a light coloured hat. Photo: Robert MacDonald/Northern Studios
The scene at Lybster Harbour last year as the Netflix drama The Crown was being filmed. Oscar can be seen in the centre of the photograph in a light coloured hat. Photo: Robert MacDonald/Northern Studios

"Everything went according to plan," he said. "This journey gave me the chance to live the life of a Scotsman – at least for a short while – being able to inhale the biggest treasure of a Highlander and the joyful, powerful and proud character of its people.

"Playing an Argentinian being from Barcelona is one of those exciting challenges that this profession establishes. Cast and chosen by the superior [casting director] Nina Gold was a great honour."

Oscar found the landscape "outstanding" and talked about the scenes shot at "mystic Lybster harbour".

Lybster Harbour was used for a key scene in Netflix drama The Crown. Picture: DGS
Lybster Harbour was used for a key scene in Netflix drama The Crown. Picture: DGS

"I had the privilege of working side by side with the fantastic director Paul Whittington.

"I even sing in The Crown, so if any Highlander heard the Argentinian anthem somewhere, it wasn’t someone engaged in a burst of nationalism but me just practising."

While strolling about in his free time Oscar bumped into Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher coming out of a production caravan who gave him a "sweet smile". It was, of course, actress Gillian Anderson in makeup and costume playing the Iron Lady who was in power during the Falklands conflict of 1982.

Oscar takes a selfie on a filming break at Lybster harbour.
Oscar takes a selfie on a filming break at Lybster harbour.

The Crown not only focuses on Margaret Thatcher's premiership and the Falklands War but also introduces Princes William and Harry and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.

A press release from the series producers states: "Those events, still today, nearly 40 years after the beginning of the Falklands War, make an impression in the collective memory of both countries and their respective governments over the sovereignty of the islands in the South Atlantic and the oil exploration rights. Once the Falkland war is on display in the Crown, many will puzzle over these past facts."

Oscar Foronda and fellow actors at Lybster harbour during the shoot for The Crown.
Oscar Foronda and fellow actors at Lybster harbour during the shoot for The Crown.

Oscar also talked about the "vivid Highlander personality" he experienced at the Portland Hotel in Lybster.

"Whilst breathing in the fresh air at my accommodation, a local group having a celebration established a conversation with me in a lovely way. They insisted on me having a piece of their cake. It was so much fun being a part of Scotland's people and country.

"Generous, open, very sincere. I admire these qualities and most definitely the best complement to those magnetic lands. Loving you Scots. What else can I say?"

Caithness locations to have starring role as Netflix series The Crown returns for new series


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