“Inspired by true events, this drama goes behind the scenes of the uncompromising journalism that resulted in Prince Andrew’s shocking interview and embarrassing appearance on BBC’s Newsnight. From the tension of producer Sam McAlister’s difficult negotiations with Buckingham Palace to journalist Emily Maitlis’s stunning showdown with the prince, this film is a story about women who showed great courage and stopped at nothing to let the world hear this story,” we read in the description of the Netflix film.
Billie Piper – Sam McAlister
Sam McAlister is responsible for Prince Andrew being interviewed on the BBC’s “Newsnight” program. He did this shortly after the death in prison of Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted pedophile accused of trafficking women. He did not apologize, did not say “I regret” the friendship or that he did not break off his friendship with Epstein after the first verdict. He categorically denied any involvement in the abuse of young women, including minors, although one of them accused him of having sex three times when she was 17 years old. The prince maintained to the end that their photo together was not real, and a few years after the interview he paid £12 million to charity as part of a settlement – without admitting guilt.
The script for the Netflix production was based on McAlister’s book titled “Scoops”. As he claims in one of the interviews, although he writes about his entire career, he is aware that many people only read three chapters to learn the story, how exactly the prince’s conversation took place, after which he “asked” the queen to step aside from the position. responsibilities associated with belonging to the royal family.
After a few years, McAlister left “Newslight” and started, among other things, lecture. Billie Piper, who plays this character, in 1998, at the age of just 15, became the youngest singer to reach number one in the British charts with the single “Because We Want To”. Today she is known primarily as an actress, including: from the role of Rose Tyler in “Doctor Who”, Belle in “The Secret Diary of a Call Girl” and Fanny Price in “Mansfield Park”.
Billie Piper (left) as Sam Sam McAlister (right) Netflix promotional materials
Gillian Anderson – Emily Maitlis
Gillian Anderson needs no introduction to Polish viewers. They know the actress well from the series “The X-Files”, “The Crown” and “Sex Education”. This time she played a British BBC journalist. For years, she co-created the “Newsnight” program, which she joined in 2006. In November 2019, she talked to Prince Andrew in the hall of Buckingham Palace. This piece won Interview of the Year and Feature of the Year at the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2020. She left the BBC in 2022.
Gillian Anderson (left) as Emily Maitlis (right) Netflix/Youtube/BBC promotional materials
Rufus Sewell – Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew met Jeffrey Epstein through Ghislaine Maxwell, the businessman’s partner. In 2022, the woman was sentenced by a New York court to 20 years in prison. Andrzej allegedly partied with the two on numerous occasions, staying at Epstein’s home in New York and spending time on his private island. Girls and young women were exploited there. Queen Elizabeth’s son claimed in an interview that he did nothing, saw nothing, knew nothing.
Despite this, after the interview on “Newsnight” was broadcast, he was forced to resign from representing the royal family. Two years later, the monarch stripped him of his military decorations and royal charity patronages. People were even more surprised when he appeared at Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in a uniform and with medals on his chest.
In the Netflix film, he is played by a British – very famous theater, including Broadway – actor, Rufus Sewell. Previously, he could be seen, for example, in the series “Victoria”, where he played Lord Melbourne, “The Man in the High Castle” and “The Diplomat”.
Rufus Sewell (left) as Prince Andrew (right) Netflix/YouTube BBC promotional materials
Keeley Hawes – Amanda Thirsk
Amanda Thirsk was press secretary and friend of Prince Andrew. She was in favor of Prince Andrew appearing on “Newsnight”. She wanted to show viewers his charm and was convinced that it was a good move. As McAlister recalled in one of her interviews, even after the cameras were turned off, she was convinced that the interview went great. A few days later she had to resign from her position. “I truly felt for her. She was the epitome of professionalism in all our interactions,” McAlister wrote in the book.
She has been working for the royal family since 2004, and in 2012 she became one of Prince Andrew’s closest collaborators. After she stopped being his private secretary, she also had to step down from her role as director of the Pitch@Palace organization. She reportedly received a five-figure check as part of her deal with the Palace. Today, he is to hold a high position in a Chinese company that deals with, among others, running an online shopping platform.
In Strong Subject, Thirsk has the face of Keeley Hawes. The actress was nominated three times for the British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA). She is known, among others, from roles in the series “Undercoverers”, “Ashes to Ashes”, “Line of Duty”, “Good Choice” and “Bodyguard”.
Keeley Hawes as Amanda Thirsk Netflix promotional materials
Romola Garai – Esme Wren
Esme Wren has been editor of Newsnight since 2018, having previously worked at Sky News. It was during her time that the program was run exclusively by women: Emily Maitlis, Kirsty Wark and Emma Barnett. In 2021 she left the BBC and started working at Channel 4.
In the Netflix production, Romola Garai plays the publisher. The actress was born in England but grew up in Hong Kong and Singapore. She returned to her homeland only when she was eight years old. Viewers may remember her from years ago from “Dirty Dancing 2” or from newer productions such as “The Scarlet Petal and the White”, “Emma” or “The Time of Truth”. In April, a film with her participation titled “One Life” will be released in cinemas – the main role is played by Anthony Hopkins.
Romola Garai as Esme Wren Netflix promotional materials
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
