Notes on a SCANDAL

MICHAEL SHEEN and RUTH WILSON on a new drama taking a different look at an interview that shocked the world

- MICHAEL DARLING

Hot on the heels of Netflix’s behind-the-headlines film Scoop, this week sees Prime Video’s much-anticipated biographical drama A Very Royal Scandal offer a different angle on journalist Emily Maitlis’ no-holds- barred 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew.

Scoop, which starred Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell in the lead roles, was based on the 2022 memoir Scoops by former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister (portrayed on screen by Billie Piper) and explored how the BBC2 current-affairs programme secured the groundbreaking conversation, which focused on the Duke of York’s controversial friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and resulted in a wave of ridicule that left his reputation in tatters.

Now, A Very Royal Scandal turns the spotlight on Emily’s side of the story, with the interviewer serving as an executive producer on the project.

The three-parter stars Michael Sheen (Good Omens) as Prince Andrew, with Ruth Wilson (The Woman in the Wall) as Emily. The cast also includes Joanna Scanlan (The Larkins) as the Duke of York’s private secretary Amanda Thirsk, Claire Rushbook (Magpie Murders) as his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and Clare Calbraith (Grace) as Sam McAlister.

Here, Michael, 55, and Ruth, 42, give us their take…

What were your initial reactions when you were approached to portray Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew?