“Scoop” the Netflix film about the train wreck that was the BBC’s Newsnight 2019 Prince Andrew interview, airing now, tells the story of the behind-the-scenes goings on — for the year before — to secure the interview, then recreates the famed cringe-y sit down in Buckingham Palace.
Directed by Philip Martin, the film is written by Peter Moffatt and Geoff Bussetil. At the Virtual press conference, some of the terrific cast spoke about their experiences playing real life people. Gillian Anderson (she always delivers) plays the interviewer Emily Maitlis, Billie Piper plays Sam McAlister, the indefatigable producer most responsible for scoring the big get and Rufus Sewell plays the hapless, majorly clueless Prince Andrew trying to explain away his friendship with the notorious now dead Jeffrey Epstein.
Anderson recalls they filmed the interview in just one day. “It was Rufus’s first day of film. We both walked into the set which was a recreation of the room in Buckingham Palace. Our idea was to film it from beginning to the end. We never rehearsed it. He called action and it began. Rufus’s portrayal was uncanny and accurate in every detail.”
McAlister, also an Executive Producer on the film, was in that famed room once again. “I thought I was there all over again, exactly the same experience.” She added her thoughts on the embattled state of journalism. “This movie is an homage to the BBC, to the seriousness of this important situation. The moment Prince Andrew faces off with Emily, that is an iconic moment in journalism, which was secured by mostly women. Holding powerful people accountable matters. We need journalism, because it matters.”
Anderson added “The film is a thriller. I don’t know how he managed that, as everyone knows the result. What Philip did is masterful.”
“Scoop” is indeed masterful in telling the story of what went on behind the scenes and then the now legendary sit down itself. “Scoop” is definitely an entertaining, impressive watch.
