Entertainment
Who could play Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis in the upcoming film about the unforgettable BBC Newsnight interview?-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
We’re sure actors will be fighting over these roles.
Who could play Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew in upcoming film? (Picture: Getty Images/Reuters)
Never has a Pizza Express been so contentious or the ability to not sweat been a national talking point.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that Prince Andrew’s car crash interview on the BBC is being turned into a film, as confirmed by Deadline.
Based on former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister’s book Scoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews, the upcoming movie will focus on how the Beeb landed their explosive chat with the disgraced royal.
Scoop will also reportedly delve into the Queen’s third eldest child’s friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which had largely been the subject of the 2019 interview with Emily Maitlis.
Prince Andrew, 62, has always vehemently denied all allegations against him.
A big behind-the-scenes name is already attached to the project – Your Honor’s Peter Moffat, who will write the script – but no actors have been named.
We thought we’d give casting directors a hand while they’re deciding who to audition – and do their job for them.
Here are the stars we believe would turn in incredible performance as Prince Andrew and Emily.
Who could play Prince Andrew?
Timothy Spall
Timothy would excel as Prince Andrew (Picture: Rex/Getty)
National treasure Timothy could try his hand at any role, but we reckon he would be exceptional as Prince Andrew.
The 65-year-old has plenty of experience playing dodgy characters, perhaps most notably in Harry Potter where as Wormtail (also known as Peter Pettigrew) betrayed James and Lily Potter.
It would also not be the first time he’s been in a project about the Royal family, as last year he was in the Princess Diana film Spencer alongside Kristen Stewart.
Michael Sheen
Michael could show off his acting chops as Prince Andrew (Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Acting legend Michael has built his stellar reputation on playing real-life figures, from David Frost to Tony Blair, so why not add Prince Andrew to his repertoire?
As a RADA-trained actor, the 53-year-old’s also been in plenty of Shakespeare, including the iconic role of Hamlet at the Young Vic – so he’s definitely more than capable of portraying all the twists and turns of the interview.
Let’s not forget Michael even played, er, Chris Tarrant in Quiz, the ITV adaptation of the coughing scandal on Who Wants to Be a MIllionaire? He can really do anything.
Russell Crowe
Playing Prince Andrew would be no sweat of Russell’s back (Picture: John Angelillo/UPI/REX/Shutterstock)
Ok, so, Russell (particularly in his Gladiator days) may not be the first thesp to spring to mind when you think of awkward Prince Andrew, but hear us out.
The 58-year-old has incredible range – jumping from Marvel movies to musical drama Les Misérables – and let’s not forget the magic of prosthetics.
It would be great role to add to his CV following star turns in A Beautiful Mind and LA Confidential.
Hugh Grant
Hugh may have shut down rumours but we want them to be true (Picture: PA Media on behalf of So TV/PA Wire)
Hugh may have dashed all of our dreams when announcing on Twitter he’d ‘never heard of’ Scoop after his name was first rumoured – before going on to swiftly deny he was in talks with the film’s bosses.
But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t start discussions sharpish, right?
The film would be the perfect addition to Hugh’s career renaissance, which has seen the 61-year-old pivot away from playing charismatic romantic leads in the likes of Notting Hill to portraying villains in shows like The Undoing.
Who could play Emily Matilis?
Rosamund Pike
Roasmund would be a great Emily (Picture: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
Oxford grad Rosamund has a knack of completely transforming herself for a part, with even friends of war correspondent Marie Colvin, whom she played in film A Private War, calling the performance uncanny.
As well as looking a bit like Emily, Rosamund has experience playing fiercely intelligent and inscrutable women, even pulling one over James Bond in Die Another Day.
Plus, if you need someone to deliver an electrifying perfomance, look no further than Rosamund playing a charismatic yet ruthless conwoman in I Care A Lot.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian could really channel Emily (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Gillian, who played Maragaret Thatcher in Netflix’s The Crown, could totally channel Emily’s cool.
To really get to the heart of Emily’s talents as a broadcaster, Gillian would also need to be forensic and unflappable, which she would find a breeze after playing a murder detective in The Fall.
In fact, the X-Files actress is so great at playing British women, among them sex therapist Jean in Sex Education, it’s easy to forget she’s American.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole could ice out Prince Andrew (Picture: Best Image/Backgrid)
Would the part of Emily earn award-winning icon Nicole, who already has an Oscar, Emmys and Golden Globes in her trophy cabinet, another gong?
Nicole, who is married to country singer Keith Urban, has also played several writers and journalists, such as Virigina Woolf in The Hours and war reporter Martha Gellhorn in Hemingway & Gellhorn.
We think she has the perfect icy glare as a wellness guru in Nine Perfect Strangers to stare down Prince Andrew.
Charlize Theron
Charlize is surely in the running to play Emily (Picture: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
South African and American Charlize was completely unrecognisable in her mindblowing performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, so, to be honest, she’s probably a contender for Prince Andrew as well.
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The 46-year-old has made a name for herself playing powerful and frankly badass women, including in Mad Max: Fury Road and Fast & Furious 9.
And this wouldn’t even be the first thorny journalist role she’s played after winning acclaim playing Megyn Kelly in Bombshell, a film about sexual harrassment at Fox News.
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