Netflix’s latest addition, Scoop, is a royal drama that delves into the events leading up to Prince Andrew’s infamous BBC Newsnight interview in 2019. Directed by Philip Martin, the film follows journalist Sam McAlister, played by Billie Piper, as she secures the interview with the prince. The movie is based on McAlister’s memoir, Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the Most Shocking Interviews, and promises an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes drama.
The cast includes Gillian Anderson as British Journalist Emily Maitlis, Rufus Sewell as Prince Andrew, and Keeley Hawes as his then-private secretary, Amanda Thirsk. While the film is dramatized, it closely follows the real events leading up to the interview with Prince Andrew. The producers of the film have also meticulously researched the events at the BBC and Buckingham Palace during this time, ensuring accuracy in their portrayal of the story.
Sam McAlister, a criminal lawyer turned interview producer for Newsnight, spent over a year trying to arrange the interview with Prince Andrew, according to The New York Times. The circumstances changed in August 2019 after Epstein’s death, prompting discussions between McAlister and Thirsk about the prince needing to explain his relationship with Epstein. Eventually, Emily Maitlis conducted the interview with Prince Andrew, which addressed the allegations against him and his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The interview was controversial, with Prince Andrew denying the allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed that Epstein forced her to have sex with the prince when she was 17. Despite the backlash and public scrutiny following the interview, Prince Andrew continued to maintain his innocence. However, he eventually settled the sexual assault lawsuit brought by Giuffre in February 2022, offering an undisclosed amount to her and her charity to support victims’ rights.
Prince Andrew’s resignation from public duties and loss of military titles and royal status followed the interview, marking a significant turning point in his life. The interview, filled with bizarre alibis and denials, portrayed the prince in a negative light, leading to widespread condemnation. The film Scoop provides a glimpse into the events leading up to this pivotal moment in Prince Andrew’s life and the subsequent fallout from the interview.
Now streaming on Netflix, Scoop offers viewers a chance to revisit the controversial interview and delve into the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded at the BBC and Buckingham Palace during this time. With a star-studded cast and a gripping storyline, the film promises to shed light on one of the most talked-about moments in recent royal history. Whether it stays true to real life or takes creative liberties, Scoop is sure to captivate audiences with its portrayal of this tumultuous period in Prince Andrew’s life.
