Prince Andrew interview movie announced starring Gillian Anderson | Films | Entertainment

Three years ago, Newnight’s Emily Maitlis interviewed Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. What was labelled a “car crash” interview with the Duke of York’s bizarre claim that he “didn’t sweat” is now being adapted into a Netflix movie called Scoop. The behind-the-scenes dramatisation is based on Newsnight Producer Sam McAlister’s memoir Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews and features an all-star cast.

Gillian Anderson will be playing Emily Maitlis herself, opposite Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew. They’re joined by Keeley Hawes as Amanda Thirsk, the former Private Secretary to the Duke of York and Billie Piper as Sam McAlister, who negotiated and secured the bombshell interview.

McAlister herself 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. Watching Billie Piper, one of my favourite actresses, play ‘me’ will be a pinch myself moment and I’m truly thrilled to be involved in this film.”

Director Philip Martin added: “I’m thrilled to be directing this film for Netflix and – together with an extraordinary cast – to be bringing Sam McAlister’s revelatory insider’s account to the screen. 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. 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.”

Scoop, which has now entered production, is yet to have a Netflix release date announced.

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