The upcoming Amazon Prime series A Very Royal Scandal is set to offer a fresh perspective on Prince Andrew’s 2019 Newsnight interview.
The three-part drama, starring Michael Sheen as the Duke of York and Ruth Wilson as Emily Maitlis, will debut on September 19.
A recently released trailer provides a tantalising glimpse into the series, which explores the lead-up to the interview, the explosive sit-down itself, and its far-reaching aftermath.
Notably, former BBC journalist Emily Maitlis serves as an executive producer, lending her unique insights to the project.
Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice are bracing for a bombshell royal series to be released this month.
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The series promises to delve deep into the clash between newsroom culture and royal protocol, offering viewers an unprecedented look behind the scenes of one of the most controversial royal interviews in recent memory.
The trailer offers a glimpse into the series’ dramatic portrayal of events.
“Get me and him in a room together, and then I can do my thing,” Maitlis’s character declares. Prince Andrew, seemingly confident, proclaims, “I’m going to blow this out of the water.”
The series unfolds across three episodes. The first explores the Duke’s attempts to declare his innocence amidst the Epstein scandal.
he first explores the Duke’s attempts to declare his innocence amidst the Epstein scandal.
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The second focuses on the interview itself, promising unexpected twists. The final instalment examines the fallout for both the prince and Maitlis.
Sheen’s portrayal of Andrew appears to capture the royal’s ill-fated confidence. In one scene, he tells Maitlis, “I’ve been warned about you. You have a bit of a reputation.” Her witty retort: “Well, for you, I’ll try and behave.”
A Very Royal Scandal arrives on the heels of Netflix’s “Scoop”, released in April, which also dramatised the interview. However, Maitlis has downplayed any rivalry between the two productions.
“I think that probably is overplayed, overstated. This [the Amazon series] will be a very different beast. I’m sure there’s room for both,” Maitlis told Deadline.
She added that she left Netflix “to do their own thing because I think the last thing they want is me peeking around the edges”.
Unlike Scoop, which was based on a book by former BBC producer Sam McAlister, A Very Royal Scandal benefits from Maitlis’s direct involvement and perspective.
This unique insider view promises to offer viewers a more nuanced understanding of the events surrounding the controversial interview.
The series offers intriguing insights into the interview preparation process.
A scene from the Edinburgh TV Festival teaser shows Prince Andrew, played by Sheen, insisting on mentioning his alibis.
“You didn’t ask me about my alibis as discussed; the sweating and my visit to Pizza Express,” the Duke tells Maitlis after filming stops.
The series’ imminent release on September 19 comes at a sensitive time for Prince Andrew.
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His private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, portrayed by Joanna Scanlan, emphasises the importance of these details to his defence.
Princess Beatrice’s role in facilitating the interview is also highlighted. Sam McAlister, in her book, revealed that Beatrice unexpectedly attended a pre-interview meeting.
“Princess Beatrice was a total curveball,” McAlister wrote, noting the princess’s presence changed the atmosphere and potentially influenced the decision to proceed with the interview.
A Very Royal Scandal is poised to make a significant impact when it debuts on Amazon Prime next month. As part of the anthology series that includes A Very English Scandal and A Very British Scandal, it continues the tradition of dramatising high-profile controversies involving the British elite.
The series’ imminent release on September 19 comes at a sensitive time for Prince Andrew. Recent reports suggest ongoing tensions with King Charles, including disputes over his residence at Royal Lodge and the withdrawal of funding for his private security.
Source Agencies
