A Very British Scandal: Release date, channel, cast and trailer

A Very British Scandal will come to BBC later this year, starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany as the Duke and Duchess of Argyll – here’s everything you need to know about the period drama. 

Penned by Sarah Phelps, the three-part series explores the very public breakdown of the marriage between Margaret Campbell (Claire Foy) and her husband Ian (Paul Bettany) in the 1960s.

Margaret was a regular fixture of the front pages at the time and was famed for her charisma, beauty and style amid a very chaotic life.

Coming to BBC One in just a few weeks time, viewers will look at what is perceived to be one of the most brutal legal cases of the 20th century, and we can’t wait.

With the trailer for the show having now dropped, here’s all we know about the drama so far. 

When is A Very British Scandal on TV and how many episodes will there be?

Claire Foy and Paul Bettany star in A Very British Scandal (Picture: BBC / Blueprint)

The first episode of A Very British Scandal will be broadcast on Sunday 26th December at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The mini-series has three parts, which will air over consecutive nights.

All three episodes will be available to watch immediately as a boxset on BBC iPlayer after episode one has aired.

A Very British Scandal cast?

Claire Foy stars as Margaret Campbell, Duchess of Argyll

Claire has starred in her fair share of period dramas in the past (Picture: BBC / Blueprint)

Claire is an instantly recognisable name, who plays the troubled socialite, who marries Ian after she sets her sights on the Duchy of Argyll. 

The 37-year-old star is best known for her role in The Crown, where she portrayed a young Queen Elizabeth II in the first two series’ alongside Matt Smith as the Duke of Edinburgh. 

She’s also had roles in Tudor drama, Wolf Hall as well as White Heat and the BBC’s adaptation of Upstairs Downstairs. 

The actress has received various awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Claire previously said she was excited ‘to explore through this story, how often shame, judgement and controversy surrounds a woman’s sexuality.’

Paul Bettany stars as Ian Campbell, Duke of Argyll

Paul plays the Duke of Argyll, who is Margaret’s second husband (Picture: BBC / Blueprint Pictures)

Paul, 50, will portray the Duke of Argyll, who enters into a relationship with Margaret after becoming estranged from his first wife. 

Bafta nominated star Paul is best known for portraying J.A.R.V.I.S. / Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

His film credits include: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War.

‘I’m delighted to be working with the remarkable Claire Foy to tell the fascinating and scandalous story of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their very complicated lives,’ Paul said of the role. 

Julia Davis stars as Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava

Julia and Claire’s characters are close friends in the drama (Picture: BBC / Blueprint Pictures)

Julia plays Maureen Constance Guinness, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, who is a close friend of Margaret.

Comedy fans will remember Julia from her stream of sitcom roles and is known for writing and starring in the BBC Three comedy Nighty Night (2004–2005) and the comedies Hunderby and Camping.

Of course, she also starred as icon Dawn in Gavin and Stacey, returning for the 2019 Christmas special. 

Other names in the cast include The Trial of Christine Keeler star Amanda Drew, Poldark’s Richard McCabe and A Discovery Of Witches actress, Sophia Myles. 

More: BBC

Katherine Manners, Richard Goulding, Jonathan Aris, Oliver Chris, Nicholas Rowe and Miles Jupp will also star.

The series was written by Sarah Phelps, who has worked on many of the more recent Agatha Christie adaptations, such as The Pale Horse. 

A Very British Scandal begins on Boxing Day at 9pm on BBC One.

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