Back in 2019, Prince Andrew agreed to an interview with the BBC news program Newsnight in an effort to tell his side of the story about his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who had just killed himself in prison, and the allegations that Andrew had had sex with Virginia Giuffre, one of the many underage girls who were a constant presence in Epstein’s world.
Apparently Andrew was very pleased with how the interview had gone and felt that he had performed brilliantly. But it was widely viewed as a train wreck and a few days later, Andrew had been forced to relinquish his official duties and has not regained them since. It is thought that the interview is what persuaded Giuffre to sue Andrew, a case that was settled out of court in 2022, reportedly for around $16 million.
That episode spawned a two-part documentary Andrew: The Problem Prince and now a new Netflix dramatization Scoop that details the the interview and how it came about, starring Gillian Anderson as the interviewer Emily Maitlis and Rufus Sewell as Andrew. It also shows the backstage world of celebrity bookers, those who try to get high-profile or otherwise newsworthy people to agree to interviews, with Billie Piper playing Samantha McAlister, the Newsnight booker who got Andrew to agree.
Here’s the trailer for Scoop..
You can also see the original interview.
Raging Bee says
My review of such a piece would consist of just one word: “WHY?!”
John Morales says
Yes, I’ve read about this and have access to it.
Thing is, I’d want to be paid to watch such pap.
cf. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68198592
I did watch the original interview at the time, most informative, it was — so if I’ve seen the original, why would I want to see a recreation?
Holms says
A movie about… booking an interview. It is hard to imagine a more bland prospect.
Silentbob says
A rare Mano review that’s devoid of any… review, i.e. opinion.
sonofrojblake says
Interesting review. I’d agree/disagree with your opinion, but you don’t appear to have expressed one.
Silentbob says
@ ^
copycat X-D
birgerjohansson says
As Hollywood likes to slightly deviate from historical facts, I hope this is a “Inglorious Basterds” variant where Andrew gets shot in the face while watching a film. I would watch that.