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First-Look Images Show Rufus Sewell In Character As Prince Andrew In New Drama About Infamous Interview

Tuesday, 19 March 2024 06:49

By (C) Sky News: James Robinson, news reporter

Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew in the new Netflix drama Scoop. Pic: Netflix/PA

A first-look image of actor Rufus Sewell in character as Prince Andrew has been revealed.

It comes ahead of the release of a new Netflix drama detailing the story behind the Duke of York's infamous BBC Newsnight interview in November 2019.

A trailer for the upcoming film Scoop shows Sewell, in character as the duke, sitting down with co-star Gillian Anderson, who plays the journalist Emily Maitlis.

In another scene, Billie Piper, playing Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, is in discussions with Sewell's Andrew when she refers to him as "Randy Andy".

Rufus Sewell arriving for the Judy European Premiere held at the Curzon Theatre, Mayfair, London.

Image:Rufus Sewell (pictured here in 2019) is playing Prince Andrew in the new drama. Pic: PA

The film, based on McAlister's book Scoops, documents the "high stakes negotiations with Buckingham Palace" through to the BBC's interview with Andrew.

In real life, the royal took part amid intense criticism of his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. 

However, the interview was dubbed a "car crash", with commentators questioning the duke's responses and condemning his unsympathetic tone and lack of remorse.

Following the interview, the duke stepped back from public life, saying the scandal had become a "major disruption" to the Royal Family.

Billie Piper as Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, in the new Nextflix drama Scoop.
Pic: Netflix/PA

Image:Billie Piper as Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, in the new Netflix drama Scoop. Pic: Netflix/PA

Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew and Gillian Anderson as journalist Emily Maitlis, in the new Nextflix drama Scoop.
Pic: Netflix/PA

Image:Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew and Gillian Anderson as journalist Emily Maitlis, in the new Netflix drama Scoop. Pic: Netflix/PA

He later agreed a financial settlement with Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of sexual assault in a US civil case.

As part of the out-of-court settlement, Prince Andrew, who always strongly rejected claims of wrongdoing, accepted no liability.

As well as Anderson and Piper, Scoop features Bodyguard star Keeley Hawes as one of Andrew's advisers, while Sex Education star Connor Swindells plays a member of the press.

Netflix released its first trailer for the film last month in which viewers were introduced to Anderson as Maitlis.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo showing the Duke of York , speaking for the first time about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis, which will be broadcast by the BBC on Saturday.

Image:The real interview was described as a "car crash" by some commentators

Maitlis, who left the BBC in 2022 and now hosts a podcast, has already served as an executive producer of a Channel 4 documentary about the interview.

Another drama about the interview, a series called A Very Royal Scandal, starring Michael Sheen as Andrew and Ruth Wilson as Maitlis, is also in the works.

Scoop will be released on Netflix on April 5.

https://news.sky.com/story/first-look-images-show-rufus-sewell-in-character-as-prince-andrew-in-new-drama-about-infamous-interview-13097762

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