07 February 2023 , 10:18
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Gillian Anderson, Keeley Hawes, Billie Piper and Rufus Sewell are among the big names that Netflix has announced for the cast of the drama based on Prince Andrew's disastrous Newsnight interview.
The Netflix film, called Scoop, which is set to give viewers the "inside track" on how Andrew came to do the interview.
Andrew, 62, was grilled by presenter Emily Maitlis over his relationship with late billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in November 2019 in the explosive chat.
Following the interview and the furore over his friendship with Epstein, the duke stepped down from public life.
Sex Education and The Crown star Gillian, 54, will play journalist Emily in the drama while Andrew will be played by Rufus, 55, who recently starred in The Man In The High Castle and The Pale Horse.
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Keeley Hawes, who starred in It’s A Sin and recently Stonehouse, also stars as Amanda Thirsk, former private secretary to the duke.
Prince Andrew's bombshell BBC interview is being made into a Netflix movie (BBC)Meanwhile Doctor Who actress Billy Piper will play former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, who's memoir Scoops: The BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews From Prince Andrew To Steven Seagal was used as a base for the movie.
Sam spent a year securing the sit-down on-camera meeting with Andrew.
Netflix said the film will look at “navigating Palace vetoes, to breaking through to Prince Andrew’s inner circle, the high-stakes negotiations and intensity of rehearsal – to the jaw-dropping interview itself”.
It will also shine a light on “the journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings”.
As the casting for the film was announced on Netflix's Twitter page, fans reacted to applaud the selection of actors who will take part in Scoop.
One wrote: “Knockout cast, we’ll done!!!“ [sic] as another added: “The casting is unbelievable! I can’t wait for this!“
“This could be fantastic Will definitely keep an eye out for it“, a third wrote while a fourth joked: “this is GREAT casting, but who is playing the role of Pizza Express in Woking?“
Meanwhile, ex Newsnight producer Sam said: “It is beyond my wildest dreams, especially as a first-time writer, to end up working with this extraordinary cast, Netflix, and the amazing teams at The Lighthouse and Voltage.”
She added that she had a “pinch-myself” moment when she watched ”one” of her favourite actresses, Billy, portray her in the flick.
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While The Crown’s Philip Martin, who directs Scoop, said: “Uptempo, immersive and cinematic, I want to put the audience inside the breathtaking sequence of events that led to the interview with Prince Andrew – to tell a story about a search for answers, in a world of speculation and varying recollections.
Gillian Anderson will play Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis (PA)
Billie Piper will take on the role of former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, who's memoir inspired the movie (Getty Images for BFC)“It’s a film about power, privilege and differing perspectives and how – whether in glittering palaces or hi-tech newsrooms – we judge what’s true.”
During the interview, which went on to win the Scoop of the Year at the Royal Television Society Awards in 2020, the duke denied claims that he had sex with Virginia Giuffre.
Ms Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein, who died in August 2019, on three separate occasions, including when she was 17 – an age at which you are still considered as a minor under US law.
She said the duke sweated heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp in one alleged encounter.
The Pale Horse star Rufus Sewell will play the duke (Mischief Screen Limited 2019/Ben Blackall)However, Andrew told Maitlis he had a medical condition, at the time, caused by his service in the Falklands War, which meant he did not sweat, and that he had no recollection of ever meeting Ms Giuffre.
He claimed he spent the day at Pizza Express in Woking for a party with one of his daughters.
Last year, Andrew settled his US sexual assault case out of court – although the agreement was not an admission of guilt and he has always strenuously denied the allegations against him.
The interview was previously covered by Channel 4 ’s Prince Andrew: The Musical, in which Newsnight journalist Emily was played by actress and comedian Emma Sidi and Andrew was played by Kieran Hodgson.
The interview was made into a satirical musical (BBC)Prince Andrew: The Musical, which was described as a “satirical send up“ and aired in December, divided viewers at the time as one fan said: “ #princeandrewthemusical I thought was brilliant TV. People forget he got away with it and all the Royal family want is for it to go away. Well done #channel4 comedy satire is this. It hits where it hurts and gets results. Loved it. Beautifully done“.
Another added: “Really enjoyed #princeandrewthemusical funny and totally irreverent, hope all the royal fam were watching!“
“Thoroughly great entertainment. Best show I’ve seen over Christmas #PrinceAndrewTheMusical,“ a third wrote, with a fourth adding: “ #princeandrewthemusical what a work of genius! Satire at its best. Well done @Channel4 that wins Christmas viewing for me.“