Netflix’s upcoming drama Scoop depicts the events surrounding Prince Andrew’s explosive 2019 BBC Newsnight interview. The film, premiering on Netflix on April 5, promises to take viewers behind the scenes of the “inside track” that led to the “jaw-dropping interview” that sparked immediate fallout and a public retreat from the disgraced royal.
Scoop focuses on the women who secured the interview, highlighting the tenacity and guts required to break through the Buckingham Palace establishment. Based on the book Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews by former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, the film depicts the high-stakes negotiations and intense preparations that preceded the sit-down interview. McAlister, played by Billie Piper, spent a year in real life securing the interview.
The interviewer, Emily Maitlis, will be portrayed by Gillian Anderson, while Prince Andrew is played by Rufus Sewell. Also starring are Keeley Hawes as Amanda Thirsk, the Duke’s former private secretary, and Romola Garai as Esme Wren, the editor of Newsnight at the time. Scoop is directed by Philip Martin (who has also worked on The Crown), with a screenplay written by Peter Moffat.
Netflix has advertised Scoop as giving viewers the “inside track” of the “story of the women that broke through” the Palace’s walls. The streaming giant has also released images of the actors recreating scenes from the interview, with Anderson and Sewell’s likenesses to Maitlis and Andrew praised by fans.
Scoop’s release comes amid continued fascination with the British Royal Family, following the success of hit series like The Crown and ongoing public concern surrounding the family. Channel 4 aired a comedy musical based on the interview last year, while Amazon is also developing a three-part miniseries about the event, part of their Scandal anthology series. Maitlis is reported to have partnered with the production company behind A Very English Scandal and A Very British Scandal for the Amazon project (which will be called A Very Royal Scandal), which will see her portrayed by Ruth Wilson and Andrew played by Michael Sheen.
Scoop’s cast has conveyed their excitement for the film’s release, with Piper calling it a “gift” to explore the behind-the-scenes story of the interview. Anderson, who initially turned down the role due to the “scary” prospect of portraying a living public figure, said she ultimately accepted the challenge because of the fascinating story.
Scoop premieres 9 April on Netflix.
