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"The Little Mermaid"'s Prince Eric, Jonah Hauer-King, Has a Link to Prince Harry

16/05/2023 - 09:10 AM

It seems we've had to wait an eternity for the live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid", but it's coming around faster than we can shake our imaginary mermaid tails at. Until the movie drops on 26 May, we can dream about the cast's leading man [1], Jonah Hauer-King, aka Prince Eric. Acting alongside Halle Bailey – who recently transformed into her character of Ariel off-screen at the world premiere [2] – Hauer-King is taking on the iconic role and love interest in the Disney film.

Fans might remember a certain Mr Harry Styles was originally in line for the role [3], but turned it down. And stepping into the "As It Was" singer's shoes is no mean feat. Yet Hauer-King is not a stranger to tackling beloved romantic heroes: he stole plenty of hearts playing Laurie in "Little Women" alongside "Stranger Things [4]" star Maya Hawke a few years back. He's also worked with a whole host of big-name actors, and has a little something in common with some real-life princes. Keep reading to find out more about the man who's about to steal Ariel's heart.

The Arts Run In Jonah Hauer-King's Family

"My mum was a director and a producer, so I owe a lot of my love of theatre to her — she'd always take me to shows, and she gave me quite a diverse exposure to the theatre world," Hauer-King told Broadway World [5] in 2016. However, it took him a while to realise his own future was to be centre stage, rather than behind the scenes. "I never really admitted to myself that I wanted to act until my mid teens. My parents gave me a very realistic outlook on being in this industry — the uncertainty and instability. They didn't actively encourage me until I said, 'This is what I want to do', and they've been hugely supportive ever since."

Jonah Hauer-King Has Dual Citizenship

Despite having an American passport, the actor plays Prince Eric with his own British accent. Hauer-King was born and raised in London, but he has dual citizenship because his mum, Debra Hauer, is from California [6]. "Being American is definitely part of my identity," he told TV Show Patrol [7]. "I feel in some ways very English, but I've also spent a lot of time in America and feel like that's part of myself." Jonah's dad is famed restauranteur Jeremy King, who, alongside his business partner Chris Corbin, is the brains behind legendary London establishments like The Ivy and The Wolseley.

Jonah Hauer-King Went to Cambridge University

Though he always knew he wanted to be an actor, he says that "cold feet" caused him to apply to university, where he landed a place studying theology and philosophy at the esteemed institution of Cambridge University. With a slew of famous alumni, including Stephen Hawking, King Charles, and Emma Thompson [8], Hauer-King's career might not have been linear, but it got off to a great start. "People always ask if I'm going to be a priest!", he joked to Broadway World [9].

Jonah Hauer-King Is a Period Drama Veteran

As often happens with young British actors, Hauer-King has starred in his fair share of period dramas. As well as the WWII drama "World on Fire", he also starred alongside Hayley Atwell in "Howards End", and played Laurie in the 2017 BBC adaptation of "Little Women". He spoke to The List [10] about his love of the genre, saying, "It's amazing, when you have people who are such artists and such craftsmen, so brilliant at bringing those periods in to life. It makes our life so much easier because you really do enter the world. The people making these costumes and building the sets are extraordinary. When you step on set for the first time wearing a three-piece handmade suit it's a very special moment."

Jonah Hauer-King Looks Good in a Corset

While filming "Little Women", Hauer-King got into the spirit of the era by slipping into one of the women's costumes – and he didn't forget about wearing a bonnet, either. "They had to wear corsets everyday. Only fair," he captioned the photo. Fighting the patriarchy, too? We're sold. Fans loved his striking look, as well. "Well suited!", one fan commented, whilst another offered: "hahaha looks cute."

Jonah Hauer-King Has a Lot of Famous Friends

Hauer-King's Instagram is like a who's who of cool, young actors. From snapping pictures with his "The Little Mermaid" costars Melissa McCarthy and Halle Bailey, to showcasing special moments with his former "Little Women" co-star Maya Hawke (aka Robin from "Stranger Things [11]") as well as "The End of the F**king World"'s Alex Lawther, he has a bulging contacts book. He's pals with Josh O'Connor, aka "The Crown"'s Prince Charles, who jokingly gave him a signed copy of "The Riot Club" [12] on DVD as a birthday present.

Jonah Hauer-King Has Something in Common With Prince William and Prince Harry

Though playing Prince Eric will have been new ground for Hauer-King, he does share some real-life experiences with our very own princes, William and Harry. Like the British royals, Jonah was a student at Eton College, where he was active in the theatre society. He recently returned to his old school [13] to speak to a new generation of students about his experiences in theatre and television.

Who Is Jonah Hauer-King Dating?

As of 2023, it doesn't appear that actor is in a relationship. Despite having a stellar career so far, Hauer-King has not made his relationship history public. So, whether he's currently romantically linked to anyone, or is single and ready to mingle, we might not ever know.


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