Do you remember the coronavirus pandemic? Chances are you do, firstly because it happened very recently and secondly because it was very, very horrible. The collective trauma of the event was unprecedented since the Second World War. With that in mind, here comes the show that precisely nobody was asking for: This England. Dominic Cummings yelling about Brexit! Dramatisations of people dying in the ICU!! Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson!!!
For all that This England (Sky Atlantic) sets out to be a panoptic view of the early months of the crisis, there’s a blonde tousled elephant in the room. Even if unintentional, the show is all about Boris Johnson, and the great problem with Branagh’s performance is that it’s simultaneously a fairly poor impression and an enormously distracting one. He paces and preens and the audience is constantly reminded that this is supposed to be Boris Johnson.
For all that This England (Sky Atlantic) sets out to be a panoptic view of the early months of the crisis, there’s a blonde tousled elephant in the room. Even if unintentional, the show is all about Boris Johnson, and the great problem with Branagh’s performance is that it’s simultaneously a fairly poor impression and an enormously distracting one. He paces and preens and the audience is constantly reminded that this is supposed to be Boris Johnson.
- 9/28/2022
- by Nick Hilton
- The Independent - TV
The Queen is unlikely to watch Oprah Winfrey’s box office interview with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, but her courtiers have told The Sunday Times that Her Majesty is “pretty cheesed off” with the whole affair.
According to a report from the British newspaper’s royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah and the well-connected Tim Shipman, Queen Elizabeth II will ignore the CBS broadcast (which will be shown in the UK on Monday by ITV), and instead focus on a string of engagements this coming week.
Buckingham Palace aides came out swinging in the Sunday newspaper, branding the interview special a “circus” and claiming that the Queen is focused on the “big issues” facing the country, including children returning to school amid lockdown and the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.
“The mood in the family is: can everyone just shut the hell up and can we just get on with the day job,...
According to a report from the British newspaper’s royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah and the well-connected Tim Shipman, Queen Elizabeth II will ignore the CBS broadcast (which will be shown in the UK on Monday by ITV), and instead focus on a string of engagements this coming week.
Buckingham Palace aides came out swinging in the Sunday newspaper, branding the interview special a “circus” and claiming that the Queen is focused on the “big issues” facing the country, including children returning to school amid lockdown and the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine.
“The mood in the family is: can everyone just shut the hell up and can we just get on with the day job,...
- 3/7/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sky’s buzzy series on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has found its latest protagonists in the shape of Elementary actress Ophelia Lovibond and Brexit: The Uncivil War star Simon Paisley Day.
Deadline can reveal that Lovibond will star next to Kenneth Branagh as Johnson’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds, in This Sceptred Isle. Paisley Day will play Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s most senior adviser at the height of the coronavirus crisis, which provides the backdrop to the five-part series.
Co-written and directed by The Trip helmer Michael Winterbottom, This Sceptred Isle is based on first-hand testimony from those close to Johnson. It will chart the events surrounding the Pm, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global coronavirus pandemic.
There is little doubt it was an extraordinary period for the British leader, who fell critically ill with Covid-19 and weeks after his discharge from hospital,...
Deadline can reveal that Lovibond will star next to Kenneth Branagh as Johnson’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds, in This Sceptred Isle. Paisley Day will play Dominic Cummings, the prime minister’s most senior adviser at the height of the coronavirus crisis, which provides the backdrop to the five-part series.
Co-written and directed by The Trip helmer Michael Winterbottom, This Sceptred Isle is based on first-hand testimony from those close to Johnson. It will chart the events surrounding the Pm, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global coronavirus pandemic.
There is little doubt it was an extraordinary period for the British leader, who fell critically ill with Covid-19 and weeks after his discharge from hospital,...
- 3/3/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky has released a first-look image of Kenneth Branagh as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in its upcoming Michael Winterbottom series This Sceptred Isle.
Filming has commenced on the five-part series, which will premiere in fall 2022. The project first emerged last year as part of a deal between The Trip director Winterbottom and Fremantle’s Passenger, run by True Detective producer Richard Brown.
Produced by Fremantle, Passenger, and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films, the series will chart the events surrounding the U.K. Prime Minister, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global coronavirus pandemic.
It will trace the impact on Britain, and the response of scientists, nurses, and doctors as they worked to contain and overcome the virus. It is based on the first-hand testimony of people including those from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies...
Filming has commenced on the five-part series, which will premiere in fall 2022. The project first emerged last year as part of a deal between The Trip director Winterbottom and Fremantle’s Passenger, run by True Detective producer Richard Brown.
Produced by Fremantle, Passenger, and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films, the series will chart the events surrounding the U.K. Prime Minister, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global coronavirus pandemic.
It will trace the impact on Britain, and the response of scientists, nurses, and doctors as they worked to contain and overcome the virus. It is based on the first-hand testimony of people including those from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies...
- 2/25/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Kenneth Branagh will play U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a new Sky TV series detailing Britain’s muddled response to the Covid-19 crisis. The five-part drama will be directed and written by “The Trip” helmer Michael Winterbottom.
Entitled “This Sceptred Isle,” the show will be produced by Fremantle, Richard Brown’s Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films. The project — which was announced in June but had yet to secure a broadcast partner and announce casting — will chart the events surrounding Johnson and his government in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic. The U.K. leader in late March was hospitalized with Covid-19 for over a week, with a number of days spent in intensive care.
The series will launch on Sky in fall 2022.
“The first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will be remembered forever,” said Winterbottom. “A time when the country came together to battle an invisible enemy.
Entitled “This Sceptred Isle,” the show will be produced by Fremantle, Richard Brown’s Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films. The project — which was announced in June but had yet to secure a broadcast partner and announce casting — will chart the events surrounding Johnson and his government in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic. The U.K. leader in late March was hospitalized with Covid-19 for over a week, with a number of days spent in intensive care.
The series will launch on Sky in fall 2022.
“The first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will be remembered forever,” said Winterbottom. “A time when the country came together to battle an invisible enemy.
- 1/23/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Henry V star Kenneth Branagh is to play British Prime Minister in Sky drama This Sceptred Isle.
The project first emerged as part of a deal between The Trip director Michael Winterbottom and Fremantle’s Passenger, run by True Detective producer Richard Brown.
Sky Atlantic has now boarded the series with Branagh, who recently starred in Tenet, in the lead. It is produced by Passenger and Michael Winterbottom’s Revolution Films.
The five-part drama will chart the events surrounding the U.K. Prime Minister, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic.
It will trace the impact on Britain from the pandemic, and the response of scientists, nurses, and doctors as they worked to contain and overcome the virus. It is based on the first-hand testimony of people including those from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group...
The project first emerged as part of a deal between The Trip director Michael Winterbottom and Fremantle’s Passenger, run by True Detective producer Richard Brown.
Sky Atlantic has now boarded the series with Branagh, who recently starred in Tenet, in the lead. It is produced by Passenger and Michael Winterbottom’s Revolution Films.
The five-part drama will chart the events surrounding the U.K. Prime Minister, the government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic.
It will trace the impact on Britain from the pandemic, and the response of scientists, nurses, and doctors as they worked to contain and overcome the virus. It is based on the first-hand testimony of people including those from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group...
- 1/23/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle has announced an exclusive first-look deal with BAFTA-winning filmmaker Michael Winterbottom’s Revolution Films, starting with U.K. political drama series “This Sceptred Isle.”
Under the terms of the deal, Revolution Films will develop and produce scripted series and films with Fremantle co-producing and distributing the projects worldwide. The deal is done in collaboration with Richard Brown and his company Passenger.
The deal will kick off with “This Sceptred Isle,” a drama series about an extraordinary period in the life of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, set against the backdrop of the global pandemic. The series will be co-written and directed by Winterbottom, with Melissa Parmenter (Revolution Films) and Richard Brown (Passenger) serving as executive producers. Tim Shipman, political editor of The Sunday Times, is acting as a consultant on the series.
Winner of a BAFTA and a Berlin Golden Bear for “In This World,” Winterbottom’s credits...
Under the terms of the deal, Revolution Films will develop and produce scripted series and films with Fremantle co-producing and distributing the projects worldwide. The deal is done in collaboration with Richard Brown and his company Passenger.
The deal will kick off with “This Sceptred Isle,” a drama series about an extraordinary period in the life of U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, set against the backdrop of the global pandemic. The series will be co-written and directed by Winterbottom, with Melissa Parmenter (Revolution Films) and Richard Brown (Passenger) serving as executive producers. Tim Shipman, political editor of The Sunday Times, is acting as a consultant on the series.
Winner of a BAFTA and a Berlin Golden Bear for “In This World,” Winterbottom’s credits...
- 11/16/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
UK prime minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and his own crippling battle with the disease are to be the subject of a new TV series helmed by BAFTA-winning director Michael Winterbottom.
Deadline understands that deals were done to develop the drama this week, with the project being housed at Fremantle in partnership with True Detective executive producer Richard Brown’s Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films. Fremantle signed an overall agreement with Brown last year.
24 Hour Party People filmmaker Winterbottom will direct and co-write the series, while Brown (Passenger) and Melissa Parmenter (Revolution Films) are executive producers. The Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman will serve as a consultant on the show. Shipman’s book All Out War provided the inspiration for Channel 4 and HBO’s drama Brexit: The Uncivil War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Although no network or streamer is yet attached, there is hope...
Deadline understands that deals were done to develop the drama this week, with the project being housed at Fremantle in partnership with True Detective executive producer Richard Brown’s Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films. Fremantle signed an overall agreement with Brown last year.
24 Hour Party People filmmaker Winterbottom will direct and co-write the series, while Brown (Passenger) and Melissa Parmenter (Revolution Films) are executive producers. The Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman will serve as a consultant on the show. Shipman’s book All Out War provided the inspiration for Channel 4 and HBO’s drama Brexit: The Uncivil War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Although no network or streamer is yet attached, there is hope...
- 6/26/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle, Passenger, and Revolution Films are partnering on the series.
Michael Winterbottom is working on a high-end TV series about the life of UK prime minister Boris Johnson, his government, and his country during the coronavirus pandemic.
The series will cover several significant events across the past year, including Johnson’s appointment as prime minister; the discovery of the first UK cases of Covid-19; Johnson falling critically ill, through to a recovery that coincided with the arrival of his new son; and coronavirus claiming more lives in Britain than anywhere else in Europe.
Winterbottom will co-write and direct the as-yet-untitled series for his Revolution Films.
Michael Winterbottom is working on a high-end TV series about the life of UK prime minister Boris Johnson, his government, and his country during the coronavirus pandemic.
The series will cover several significant events across the past year, including Johnson’s appointment as prime minister; the discovery of the first UK cases of Covid-19; Johnson falling critically ill, through to a recovery that coincided with the arrival of his new son; and coronavirus claiming more lives in Britain than anywhere else in Europe.
Winterbottom will co-write and direct the as-yet-untitled series for his Revolution Films.
- 6/26/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
“The Trip” helmer Michael Winterbottom is set to direct a series depicting the U.K.’s muddled response to the coronavirus crisis under Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Producer-distributor Fremantle is partnering with “True Detective” executive producer Richard Brown’s nascent production outfit Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films on the project, which will have a keen focus on Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care with Covid-19 in late March and spent more than a week in hospital.
The Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman will serve as a consultant on the series, which will tell the true story of one of the most grave national and personal crises to befall a government leader since World War II. It will detail Johnson’s appointment as Prime Minister, to the discovery of the first cases of Covid-19 in the U.K., through to Johnson’s hospitalization and recovery, which also coincided...
Producer-distributor Fremantle is partnering with “True Detective” executive producer Richard Brown’s nascent production outfit Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films on the project, which will have a keen focus on Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care with Covid-19 in late March and spent more than a week in hospital.
The Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman will serve as a consultant on the series, which will tell the true story of one of the most grave national and personal crises to befall a government leader since World War II. It will detail Johnson’s appointment as Prime Minister, to the discovery of the first cases of Covid-19 in the U.K., through to Johnson’s hospitalization and recovery, which also coincided...
- 6/26/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
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