As a seasoned film enthusiast with a penchant for historical dramas and a keen interest in the British monarchy, I have to admit that “A Very Royal Scandal” has piqued my curiosity. The intrigue surrounding the controversial interview between Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis on BBC’s “Newsnight” is undeniably captivating, and it’s fascinating to see how two different productions are approaching this compelling story.
In 2019, Prince Andrew extended an invitation to BBC’s “Newsnight” for an interview at Buckingham Palace, unaware that this encounter would lead to his public downfall, resulting in the loss of his titles and patronages. Remarkably, this event sparked not one but two dramatic portrayals within just five years. (It’s quite possible that more adaptations will follow).
The interview was extraordinarily significant, to say the least. It wasn’t just detrimental on a personal level for Andrew, who faced exclusion from public life following its broadcast and had to pay a substantial settlement to his accuser Virginia Giuffre, but it also caused ripples throughout the royal family, reaching as high as the monarch.
As a devoted cinephile who’s slipped into the captivating role of Prince in “A Very Royal Scandal,” now streaming on Prime Video, I’ve had plenty of moments to ponder the extraordinary influence that interview has held. To truly embody the character, I immersed myself in the original interview, rewatching it countless times – hundreds, if not more. Each morning, before even opening my eyes, I would tune into the audio of that interview.
After investing such a significant amount of time, Sheen finds the interview groundbreaking because it’s uncommon for someone holding power and privilege to subject themselves to such scrutiny. Normally, controversial or potentially illegal situations are resolved by money silencing them. However, in this case, Giuffre sued Andrew for rape in New York, which is significant because there hasn’t been a court case, making the interview one of the closest instances we might get to holding someone accountable.
It’s astounding when someone willingly places themselves in a situation where they must answer for their actions, despite never needing to be accountable before, and not even anticipating being held responsible. They enter this scenario, expecting to maintain control, because that’s what they believe.
In this production, the role opposite Sheen is played by Ruth Wilson, famously known for her part in “Luther.” Wilson’s character, Maitlis, presents an intriguing contrast: on the job, she’s all about professionalism – sporting military-style attire, demonstrating razor-sharp focus, and, as Wilson puts it, possessing intellectual sharpness. However, beneath her cool exterior lies a tumultuous inner world, managing a hectic home life with two children, a spouse, and a multitasking handbag covered in ink stains. The narrative also delves into darker subjects. As the three-episode series progresses, it is disclosed that Maitlis has experienced her own encounter with toxic masculinity, having been a victim of stalking. The series’ executive producer, who is also the journalist portrayed in the drama, was open to Wilson’s portrayal, even accepting scenes where Wilson, as Maitlis, attends a meeting with curlers in her hair. “She was quite comfortable with aspects of her messy side being shown,” says Wilson. “I think I exaggerated that side of her more than she actually is.
Wilson, similar to many in Britain, tuned into the live interview in November 2019 and was “fairly astonished by it.” When she was first offered the role of Maitlis, she had concerns about whether there was anything new to add. “I thought, ‘How can you improve upon what’s already been said?'” she recalls. However, the final product, according to her, is not just a reenactment of that interview.
Previously this year, Netflix debuted “Scoop,” the first dramatic adaptation of the interview featuring Gillian Anderson as Maitlis and Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew. This production is adapted from a book by Sam McAllister, the producer of “Newsnight.” Given that the original interview drew a worldwide audience, as well as numerous memes about sweating and London’s Pizza Express chain, and with another recreation already in existence, one may question what “A Very Royal Scandal” can offer.
Initially, this series consists of three parts, delving more profoundly (“The Crown”-like) into occurrences happening before and subsequent to the interview itself. Unlike “Scoop,” which is a standalone drama spanning approximately 100 minutes, this one unfolds as an extended narrative. The appeal for Wilson lay in screenwriter Jeremy Brock’s examination of power dynamics, privilege, responsibility, journalism, and the intricate bond between the press, the Royals, and the BBC.
Sheen felt the same about the screenplay. While striving for a “true and faithful” portrait of what transpired between Andrew and Maitlis, he knew there was “no point in just copying it. “I hope that it is close enough to the original to be thrilling for an audience,” he says. “But at the same time, I hope that the secret story of it, the thing that’s going on underneath that isn’t about copying something is also something that an audience can respond to and recognize as well.”
Wilson spent a considerable amount of time working with Maitlis to prepare for the role, and during this process, he got to switch roles and interview the renowned interviewer herself. He openly shares that he posed direct questions to her, such as “Do you think he’s guilty?” To which she responded, “‘Well, guilty of what, you know?’ This led to some intense discussions. It was truly enriching.
Despite not sharing the same opportunities as others, Sheen managed to give a multi-dimensional portrayal of Prince Andrew. While he initially presented Andrew as pompous and impolite (his first lines being “Fuck off,” directed at a footman), there’s also an endearing childlike quality about his character. For instance, he playfully challenges his private secretary Amanda Thirsk to a spontaneous race in the garden. Known for his exceptional impressionist skills, having previously brought to life various public figures such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair, broadcaster David Frost, and gameshow host Chris Tarrant on screen with both accuracy and empathy, Sheen demonstrates these talents in his portrayal of Andrew. This raises the intriguing question: After stepping into the prince’s costly shoes, did Sheen develop any compassion for his dramatic downfall?
Sheen quickly responds, ‘I don’t express sympathy for any characters as it’s not part of my role. That’s more about forming opinions. I don’t pass judgment on characters. Empathy, however, is quite distinct.’
He explains that drama often relies on provoking the audience, especially when it comes to characters they might already have strong opinions about. This provocation encourages viewers to empathize with these characters, even if they disagree or don’t feel sympathy, instead prompting them to think, ‘Perhaps I understand this perspective now, Wow. I hadn’t considered that before. Now my perspective on this situation has changed.’
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2024-09-19 15:17