Gathering STORM

Jason Watkins plays a real-life scientist caught up in a global climatechange controversy…

- ALISON SLADE, STEVEN PERKINS, IAN MACEWAN

In 2009, a computer-hacking scandal dubbed ‘Climategate’ rocked the scientific world and thrust Prof Phil Jones, a climate-change scientist at the University of East Anglia, into the spotlight.

After cyberterrorists hacked into the university IT system and leaked hundreds of emails, a media storm ensued in which information was taken out of context to promote the view that human-induced global warming was a hoax.

With stories about supposed fraud, coverup and conspiracy, Jones found himself in the eye of a climate-change storm that saw his personal life and professional reputation under threat.

Now, the compelling story of his persecution and ultimate exoneration has been turned into a gripping one-off BBC1 drama starring Jason Watkins as Jones, and The Crown’s Victoria Hamilton as his loyal wife, Ruth. Here, versatile star Watkins, 54, gives his take on the gripping and timely conspiracy thriller...