John Lithgow portrayed the wartime leader in the first series of the drama The Crown and has filmed an appearance for the second.
The US actor revealed that his role in the dramatised story of the Queen’s life brought him into contact with royalty.
He said: “I met Charles on three occasions, twice when I was performing and I met him after a gala evening where we were both in the audience.
“He was intimidating and I was actually scared to death. Camilla was there each time.
“So my conversations with Prince Charles were a study in banality.
“They raise small talk to the level of eloquent prose.”
Buckingham Palace insiders have revealed that the Queen is a fan of the drama.
Lithgow said: “I have heard from someone she has and she loved it, but you don’t know whether that’s right, because there are no public statements made. And there was no access to them.”
Lithgow, 71, said he loved playing the famed wartime leader during the early years of the Queen’s reign.
He added: “I didn’t die in the first series but my story came to a wonderful ending.
“There is one flashback Jared Harris and I shot which will be in this coming season – if they don’t cut it.
“And they have almost done shooting the second season. It will be better than ever.”
He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the hugely admired but heavy drinking and occasionally pompous leader.
He admits the role took a toll on his body. Lithgow, who is 6ft 4in, had to wear a fat suit, with a hulking belly and “man boobs”, while stooping for most of his scenes.
He said: “I had a bad year of back issues. It wasn’t just Churchill and to be honest I didn’t work that much.
“It was eight months on set and it was about six weeks of shooting. It was challenging but worth it.
“It was unexpectedly moving and that is the surprise of The Crown.
“People are so engrossed by this familial relationship and they are so human.”
Lithgow, who said he never worked harder than in perfecting Churchill’s persona, said: “It was the most research I have ever done and the most fascinating research, just because he was an extraordinary man.
“I didn’t know whether I could do it, but really good people were asking me to do it.
“I was given the job in January and didn’t start until July, so I read and read. I am not huge on preparation but he was a compelling guy.”
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