By Romey Norton September 18, 2024
In the Prime Video series A Very Royal Scandal, Hollywood legend Michael Sheen transforms into the playboy Prince Andrew.
Synopsis
The three-part British television series from Amazon MGM Studios stars Ruth Wilson as Emily Maitlis and Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Written by Jeremy Brock and directed by Julian Jarrold, the series follows the famous car crash ‘Newsnight’ interview that captured the attention of millions around the globe.
Review
If you’re not sure what you’re about to watch, A Very Royal Scandal is based on the real-life 2019 interview between Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew over the scandalous accusations he faced regarding his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre. Some scenes have been fictionalised and adapted for entertainment purposes - superbly.
The story is simple and offers more about what went on behind the scenes in the lead-up to the interview, rather than just re-enacting the event. The three episodes are roughly one hour each, and all have a strong, intense pace. Episode one is focused on the build up, preparation, and conflict about the interview. Episode two is the interview, and episode three is the aftermath - reflection and the future.
Michael Sheen does the character justice, as he plays the wayward prince with dignity and a strong level of arrogance and awkwardness we saw in the original interview. The way he is able to embody his characters is a masterclass in acting.
Ruth Wilson as interviewer Emily Maitlis gives a compelling performance. We see Maitlis as a human, a mother, co-worker, and an interviewer - the persona she also puts on in front of the camera. This insight into who she is and her life helps establish why this interview was so important for her. Maitlis refers to her ‘stalker’ in the series - helping provide a strong focus to victims of assault. With a very honest and poignant scene from Emily, this takes away the focus from Prince Andrew, (and the interview) and puts it back onto the victims.
The character of Princess Beatrice has a strong part in the series, as they prepare for her wedding. Frequently the Duke of York’s character exclaims he doesn’t want the interview to affect the wedding, yet he still went ahead with it. This shows his complete arrogance, and once again, how his thoughtless actions hurt people.
Sarah Fergurson is shown as a kind, family woman, trying to keep everything together and supporting her ex-husband. A small, but effective character is someone being on The Duke of York’s side without an agenda.
The series does well in giving a balanced account. Prince Andrew, frequently known as ‘Randy Andy’, has been a playboy in the British media, as well as a criminal and jester. In this series we’re able to see his side of the story, how he was feeling and his opinions around Epstien and the photograph. We’re shown the Royal as a family man, preparing for his daughter's wedding, calling his mother, ‘mummy’ and even racing in his garden with his staff.
Some scenes are comical, maybe without intention, and they do come across as hard to believe, but do provide the otherwise serious series with some comic relief. “I'd offer you tea but we’ve had to let the staff go” is my favourite line from the series, spoken by the character Sarah. It shows the plight the Prince’s family are going through, losing all the money, and then adds to the arrogance, that without staff they cannot make a cup of tea. It can also be seen as a clever way of not making someone welcome in your home.
Even though the series is about the famous interview, being shown the characters as ‘real people’ is what gives this show its strength. We’re able to get a glimpse into what could have happened behind the scenes before and after the interview. The celebrations from the Newsnight team, the horror from the Royal Family, the opinions worldwide and the next steps going forward. Audiences are able to speculate about the Prince and Epstiens friendship before and after the interview. What Maitlis felt after the interview, by taking down a member of the Royal family and essentially helping expose and humiliate him worldwide.
The series ends with both characters having to live with the consequences of their actions. Emily, leaving the BCC and Prince Andrew, alone and an unsalvageable reputation. There are final quotes, letting audiences know what happened, including that they settled out of court and paid a sum in the region of 12 million GBP.
Star Rating
A Very Royal Scandal releases on Prime Video September 19
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