As a seasoned observer of public figures, I must say that the parallels drawn between Maitlis and Andrew are striking, particularly in terms of their shared experiences under intense scrutiny. It seems they both have navigated stormy waters in the realm of public opinion, albeit for vastly different reasons.
In November 2019, with renewed interest in allegations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, particularly accusations that he had a sexual encounter with Virginia Giuffre, who claimed to be an underage trafficking victim at the time, Prince Andrew decided to address these issues publicly. He granted an interview to Emily Maitlis, a well-known journalist known for her confrontational style on the British current affairs program Newsnight. During this interview, he stated that he had no regrets about his relationship with Epstein. Several odd statements made during this interview, such as his claim that he couldn’t sweat due to an adrenaline issue and his assertion that he was unable to have met Giuffre on the date she alleged because he attended a pizza party in Woking at that time, quickly became popular topics of humor online. Unfortunately for Prince Andrew, this interview did not go well: He was soon removed from public duties and later resigned from all his public roles. This event occurred less than five years ago.
Andrew’s rumored connections with Epstein date back for many years. This might be why every episode of “A Very Royal Scandal,” which revisits the events before, during, and after the interview, starts off with a ticking sound, symbolizing a reputation timebomb ready to explode. It’s the third installment in the loosely connected series “A Very X Scandal,” which started in 2018 with the story of Jeremy Thorpe, a member of Parliament accused of having a gay affair and then plotting to kill a younger man. The accusations that this new series addresses are despicable, but it’s hard not to be drawn into the sensationalism of such salacious drama — a royal prince being implicated in sex offenses while linked to America’s most infamous sexual offender.
It’s important to remember that the Netflix series “A Very Royal Scandal” wasn’t the first to delve into this tragic episode in modern royal history. In fact, Netflix preceded the Andrew affair with a film titled “Scoop,” which ran for an hour and forty minutes. Gillian Anderson portrayed Maitlis, while Rufus Sewell took on the role of Prince Andrew, in the build-up to the interview that severely damaged his family, career, and social standing. The movie was released in April this year but received a rather tepid reception from critics as just another offering from the streaming era’s rapid content production. Since then, it hasn’t been much discussed.
Nevertheless, A Very Royal Scandal is here, and the first episode serves to jog our memories of events that occurred so recently and were last turned into light entertainment just five months ago. Whereas in Scoop we saw the buildup to — and consequences of — the Andrew interview largely from the viewpoint of a streetwise TV producer played by Billie Piper, her character is here relegated to the background in favor of Maitlis and Andrew, whose backstories are colored throughout the episode. This time, they are played by Luther and The Affair’s Ruth Wilson and the chameleonic Michael Sheen, who collects public figures to play like Pokémon. (He portrayed the journalist David Frost in Frost/Nixon, the football — ugh, soccer — manager Brian Clough in The Damned United, and Prime Minister Tony Blair in three different movies.)
Many viewers are likely attracted to this show due to the performances of Wilson and Sheen as their characters, as the transformation aspect is a significant factor in these types of productions. For instance, we were eager to see Daniel Day-Lewis morph into Abraham Lincoln, and Gary Oldman’s weight gain was a major draw for watching Darkest Hour, which eventually earned him an Oscar. Similarly, The Crown’s most exciting aspect might have been the clash between the two Dianas. People enjoy impersonations, even if they involve famous newsreaders or disgraced royals. Now, let’s discuss how much these actors have transformed themselves. This is a point we will revisit with the recreation of the infamous interview (spoiler alert: this was always planned). At present, Sheen appears as a plumper, white-haired version of himself, but his actions are strikingly accurate. Wilson doesn’t look like Maitlis, but her voice is spot-on, albeit somewhat exaggerated. I often listen to Maitlis’s podcast, The News Agents, and if I were to listen with my eyes closed, I might be able to tell them apart, but the difference is minimal.
The scene opens as the interview, destined to be legendary, is about to unfold. Journalist Fiona Maitlis, running behind schedule, hastily deposits extra clothing and prepares for a possible wardrobe mishap, charging into Buckingham Palace. At the same time, Andrew, with an air of pompous grandeur, strides towards the interview room. Accompanied by his assistant Amanda Thirsk (portrayed by Joanna Scanlan), he dismisses a curious palace servant with a terse “fuck off,” a phrase that would later become synonymous with Sheen’s portrayal. The contrast between their calm demeanors before the interview, as reflected in this scene, foreshadows the emotional turmoil they will both experience under the spotlight. Andrew appears composed, controlled, assertive, confrontational, and self-assured. Maitlis, however, is beset with anxiety. She retreats to the restroom, not for a timid bathroom break, but to snack on some chocolates. (In an interview on The News Agents with her co-host Lewis Goodall, Maitlis revealed that she was primarily concerned about her stomach growling before the interview with Andrew.)
In 2011, there’s a brief return to the past as Andrew is informed by an assistant that the Daily Mail tabloid is probing accusations of his assault against Giuffre, an incident he claims to have forgotten. The newspaper allegedly has a photo of them together, which seems to be taken at Ghislaine Maxwell’s residence. It’s worth noting that Andrew comes from a family steeped in inherited privilege, and he dismisses the accusation as casually as swatting away a fly bothering his sandwich. Is it likely this photo will resurface? Well, betting on such historical events isn’t feasible!
In 2019, let’s rewind to the present day. Maitlis is tuned into a radio broadcast about Theresa May’s failing Brexit agreement, while her husband prepares their children for school. During a meeting at the BBC, the idea of an interview with Andrew arises; Maitlis advocates for it, but under the condition that Epstein is included in the discussion. We discover Maitlis as a dedicated news enthusiast who, much like many Brits by the end of the 2010s, grows weary of Brexit monotony and isn’t hesitant to challenge her guests on Newsnight. Even a harmless eye roll can lead to trouble. When she returns home late, she vents to her loving husband and unwinds with an icy vodka drink. The show hints at similarities between Maitlis and Andrew, as they both have experienced intense public scrutiny.
In the portrayal of their personal lives, there’s a striking similarity seen in the series, where we get glimpses of Prince Andrew’s immediate (and more renowned) family: his daughters Princess Beatrice (played by Honor Swinton Byrne) and Princess Eugenie (Sofia Oxenham), and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson (Claire Rushbrook). We encounter the children at an event for Andrew’s venture, Pitch @ Palace, a network he established for budding entrepreneurs in the U.K. This portrayal serves to make Andrew seem more relatable, and it’s interesting to note that Sheen’s acting doesn’t indicate whether the actor perceives his character as innocent or guilty; perhaps it would be simple to depict him as a detestable villain, but in these scenes, he appears as nothing more than an awkward father (who just so happens to be the son of the then-reigning monarch, although that’s not always mentioned). As Maitlis delves into Andrew’s financial connections with Epstein, a flashback to December 2010 reveals Andrew meeting Epstein — yes, an actor plays Epstein, which is unpleasant — in his New York mansion to request money to help Ferguson with her debts. At this juncture, Andrew himself admits that Epstein had already been convicted of child prostitution in Florida.
Currently, it has been reported that Epstein is found dead and this information is shared with Andrew by Thirsk on the phone. Andrew expresses self-interest, asking if this situation is beneficial or harmful for him. As events progress, the situation becomes more problematic as an investigation into the relationship between Andrew and his late friend, Epstein, reveals their ties in a Channel 4 documentary series titled “The Prince and the Paedophile.” With the public relations crisis intensifying, Thirsk proposes reconsidering the idea of an interview on Newsnight to discuss the Epstein matter. Ironically, Thirsk is dismissed for advising against such an interview, paving the way for a highly-anticipated discussion. During a meeting with Maitlis and her team, Andrew and his daughter Beatrice join Thirsk. Towards the end of the meeting, Andrew inquires if any members of the BBC team have experienced abuse themselves. This query appears to be an effort by Andrew to ensure Maitlis is not overly biased towards his accuser rather than a genuine display of empathy.
Following Maitlis and her BBC team departing, news arrives that the interview has been given approval for a few days later, prompting them to hurriedly prepare. An amusing exchange occurs between Maitlis’s editor and Wilson as they decide on which high heels to wear during the interview, eventually choosing the pair most likely to stir up the tabloids (“Tabloid-provoking heels it is!”). However, the show concludes with a suspenseful note – if not for our prior knowledge that the interview did indeed occur – as Panorama announces an upcoming episode featuring Giuffre recounting her encounter with Andrew. A notable quote from this segment hints at Andrew’s later infamous claim, stating “He sweats like a pig,” which foreshadows his assertion that he cannot sweat at all. The Panorama episode will be aired after the interview, but if any leaks occur, the interview may have to be postponed or cancelled.
Meanwhile, Andrew sets off for an evening horseback ride with Beatrice. “People tend to forget, but I’ve seen war,” he declares with pride. “Let me assure you, I am going to take this to a whole new level.
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2024-09-19 23:54