Matt Smith Speaks Out About 'The Crown' Pay Gap

Actor Matt Smith  said “we all should be paid equally and fairly ” when asked over the weekend about Claire Foy, his co-star on “The Crown ,” being paid less than him.

“Going forward, I think we should all bear in mind, and we need to strive to make this a better and more even playing field for everyone involved,” he said Sunday at the Tribeca Film Festival, according to Vanity Fair . “But not just in our industry in all industries.”

Producers of the Netflix series admitted more than a month ago that Foy, who plays Queen Elizabeth II in the show, was paid less than Smith, who plays her on-screen husband, Prince Phillip. Foy reportedly received around $40,000 per episode  for the first two seasons; Smith’s salary is still unreported. 

Foy won a Golden Globe last year for her role on the show. Smith has not received any awards for “The Crown.”  

“Claire is one of my best friends,” Smith said Sunday. “I support her completely.”

Shortly after the news broke about the pay disparity, Suzanne Mackie, creative director of the show’s production company, tweeted  that “no one gets paid more than the Queen” going forward. Unfortunately, Foy won’t be able to reap the rewards of the correction. Season 3 will jump forward in time, with actress Olivia Coleman taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth II.