A Very Royal Scandal has unveiled its first look, with Michael Sheen and Ruth Wilson transformed for their leading roles.
The Prime Video series will tell the story of BBC journalist Emily Maitlis (Wilson) as she prepares to interview Prince Andrew (Sheen) on Newsnight about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and the allegations of sexual abuse made against him by Virginia Giuffre. In 2022, Prince Andrew reached a settlement with Giuffre to end the civil case.
Ahead of the series’ release next month (September 19), the first images have been released, with the lead stars unrecognisable from their usual appearance as they are pictured in character.
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“One night. One hour. One interview that sent shockwaves around the globe,” reads the synopsis. “Based on the real-life 2019 interview between Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew over the scandalous accusations he faced regarding his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre.
“A Very Royal Scandal follows the action of Maitlis and Prince Andrew in the lead-up to the interview, the ground-breaking event itself and the many questions left in its wake that would change their lives forever.”
In addition to Sheen and Wilson, the three-part drama also stars Joanna Scanlan, Alex Jennings, Éanna Hardwicke and Claire Rushbrook, with Julian Jarrold directing the scripts penned by Jeremy Brock.
Maitlis, who is serving as an executive producer on the series, had previously spoken about Wilson’s casting, admitting her surprise at the choice given the actor’s previous roles as troubled characters.
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“I normally see her sort of clutching her wrists and pulling at her jumpers with her hair coming out in clumps and a very glassy dazed look as she hits the bottle [but] I think that could work,” Maitlis remarked.
Maitlis also shared that the rest of the cast was “exceptional” whilst admitting that she would be nervous about the retelling, explaining: “I felt terrified, obviously… Some of the scenes are quite poignant, actually.”
A Very Royal Scandal premieres on Prime Video on September 19.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. Â His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
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