Camilla Luddington, well-known for her role as Dr. Jo Wilson in the television series “Grey’s Anatomy,” recently reflected on her experience portraying Kate Middleton in the 2011 Lifetime film “William & Kate.” The actress, now aged 42, recounted her memories from the set during an exclusive interview with People, recalling the amusing circumstances surrounding a pivotal scene.
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The film, released just ahead of the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April 2011, depicted the early romance between the couple. In her conversation, Luddington reminisced about an unforgettable scene in which Kate jumps into chilly water to reach Prince William, played by Nico Evers-Swindell. “I just remember it being freezing cold water,” Luddington shared, adding that shooting the kissing scene was particularly amusing given the numbing temperatures. “I was like, ‘My lips are numb. I’m not even feeling the kiss at all.’ That was a really funny filming day,” she remarked, reflecting the light-hearted nature of the experience.
Despite taking on such a high-profile role, Luddington has yet to meet the real Kate Middleton over the years. “No, I have not met her. And I’m confused why I had not been invited to the palace, honestly,” she joked, highlighting her continued admiration for the Princess of Wales.
“William & Kate: The Movie” debuted on April 18, 2011, just eleven days before the couple’s celebrated nuptials at Westminster Abbey. Luddington explained how filming the project allowed her to bond closely with her fellow cast members within a mere three-week schedule, describing the film as “cute” and expressing her joy at the enduring conversation about it among fans.
However, the reception of the movie was less favourable once it reached British audiences. In a previous chat with Conan O’Brien in 2014, Luddington voiced her surprise at the disparity in expectations. “They showed it in England. I was curious, a Lifetime movie’s a very specific kind of entertainment. How did it go over in England?” asked O’Brien, to which Luddington responded, “Well, we don’t have Lifetime in England, so they don’t understand that Lifetime movies are cheesy and guilty pleasure.”
The actress recounted that she was prepared for negative reviews, especially given that British audiences anticipated a serious portrayal akin to the Oscar-winning film “The King’s Speech.” “I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” she recalled. “They thought it was going to be like a serious drama, and then it came out. And they were like, ‘What is this?’ — including my family.” The juxtaposition of expectations versus reality led to a decidedly humorous response from her relatives, who inundated her with reviews despite her pleas not to receive them.
Indeed, Luddington expressed that the word “interesting” had never felt like a positive descriptor when used by her family in their communications about the film. “They took great joy in sending me so many horrible reviews,” she remarked, indicating the playful yet brutal reactions from her loved ones.
Since her role in “William & Kate,” Luddington has continued to thrive in the entertainment industry. She has portrayed Dr. Jo Wilson on “Grey’s Anatomy” since its ninth season and has appeared in other notable series such as “True Blood” and “Californication.” Additionally, she lent her voice to the iconic character Lara Croft in the 2013 “Tomb Raider” video game, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
The interviews surrounding her time in “William & Kate” serve as a reminder of the film’s cultural impact during a significant moment in British royal history, as well as the lighthearted challenges of acting in a project that did not resonate as anticipated with the audience. Nonetheless, Luddington’s enduring charm and career trajectory demonstrate her ability to laugh at the past while continuing to carve a distinctly successful path in the entertainment world.