Today, Netflix has released their latest drama film, Scoop, which tells the story behind the infamous 2019 Newsnight interview which saw Prince Andrew unconvincingly counter claims that he had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. So, before you get down to binge-watching, perhaps it is time to revisit the original interview, and remind yourself just how bizarre it was.
Conducted by Emily Maitliss – who will be portrayed by Gillian Anderson in Scoop – the interview saw Prince Andrew deliver some truly outlandish claims, in an attempt to refute claims that he was close friends with notorious paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. From claims that he cannot physically sweat, to his ridiculous alibi of being at a Pizza Express in Woking, the interview was a PR disaster of colossal proportions.
Presumably, Prince Andrew assumed that taking part in the interview would be an effective way of clearing his name. In reality, of course, it made matters much worse for him, as the entire nation was now aware of the allegations and his flimsy excuses for them. The Newsnight interview had such an impact that it has already been the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, and a strange satirical musical, appropriately entitled Prince Andrew: The Musical.
Netflix’s newly unveiled effort, Scoop, attempts to tell the definitive story of how the interview came about, and the people who worked behind the scenes to set up the meeting between Maitliss and Prince Andrew. The project features an all-star cast, with Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell playing the main characters of Maitliss and Andrew.
Scoop is based upon the memoir written by Sam McAlister, one of the producers involved in settling up the original interview. Of the Netflix movie, McAlister – played in the project by Billie Piper – told The Telegraph, “It’s rare that you see a representation of women, all in their 40s and 50s. This is an opportunity to see hard-working women behind the scenes at every stage.”
The feature film is focused largely on the behind-the-scenes efforts of many female journalists who worked tirelessly to put the interview together. Newsnight editor Esme Wren is played by Romola Garai, with Keeley Hawes also involved in the project, playing Prince Andrew’s aide Amanda Thirsk.
Revisit the original interview below, before you dive into the Netflix original film, which is available to stream from today, the fifth of April.
