Matt Smith has supported his co-star and “friend” Claire Foy by stating they must have been paid equally for their roles in The Crown.

The star, who played the Duke of Edinburgh in the Netflix drama opposite Foy’s Queen Elizabeth II, stated more has to be done to create a level playing field.

He informed The Hollywood Reporter: “Claire is among my friends, and I believe that we should be paid equally and fairly and there ought to be equality for all.

” I support her completely, and I’m happy that it was solved and they apologized for it since that exactly what’s had to happen.

” Going forward, I believe we must all remember that we have to aim to make this better and a more even playing field for everybody involved – however not simply in our market, in all industries.”

The duo played the royal couple for the very first two series of the program but will be changed by Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies for the 3rd series.

Last month manufacturers exposed that Doctor Who star Smith earned more than Foy for his deal with the show.

Foy told Entertainment Weekly it felt “extremely, very odd” to be at the centre of an international story about pay equality.

Her comments came after Left Bank Pictures stated: “We wish to apologise to both Claire Foy and to Matt Smith, dazzling actors and buddies, who have found themselves at the centre of a media storm this week through no fault of their own.

” Claire and Matt are extremely gifted actors who, along with the larger cast on The Crown, have actually worked relentlessly to bring our characters to life with compassion and stability.

” As the producers of The Crown, we at Left Bank Pictures are accountable for spending plans and incomes; the stars are not familiar with who gets what, and can not be held personally accountable for the pay of their associates.

” We understand and value the conversation which is appropriately being played out across society and we are absolutely united with the battle for fair pay, devoid of gender bias, and for a rebalancing of the industry’s treatment of women, both those in front of the electronic camera and for those behind the scenes.”

Manufacturer Suzanne Mackie informed an audience in Jerusalem last month: “Going forward, no one earns money more than the Queen.”