In this three part drama, the professional life of journalist Emily Maitlis becomes inextricably linked with the fortunes of the British Monarchy as she pursues an interview with Prince Andrew. The focus is the Duke of York's disastrous 2019 appearance on Newsnight, where his attempts to explain his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein lead to his withdrawal from public life. This third entry in the "Scandal" anthology series takes a more modern and journalistic approach than its predecessors.
By centering the story on Maitlis, the narrative functions as a procedural about the mechanics of high-stakes broadcasting. It details the painstaking negotiations, the rehearsals, and the eventual fallout of those sixty minutes of television that changed the face of the Royal Family. Michael Sheen disappears into the role of the Duke, capturing the specific mixture of bafflement and privilege that defined the real-life interview.
Ruth Wilson plays Maitlis with a restless, sharp-edged energy, though the script occasionally spends too much time on her domestic life at the expense of the central drama. Comparisons to the Netflix film "Scoop" are inevitable, but this version benefits from its longer runtime, allowing for a more detailed look at the institutional pressures within the BBC and the Palace. It is a fascinating, if occasionally self-important, look at a contemporary turning point for the Crown.
Production Details
UK / Amazon Prime - Blueprint Pictures / 3x60 Minute Episodes / 2024
Writers: Jeremy Brock
Directors: Julian Jarrold
Executive Producer: Emily Maitlis, Julian Jarrold
Main Cast
Ruth Wilson as Emily Maitlis
Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew
Alex Jennings as Sir Edward Young
Joanna Scanlan as Amanda Thirsk
Claire Rushbrook as Sarah Ferguson