7 side-by-side Scoop moments compared to real-life counterparts
The film faithfully recreates the 2019 Newsnight interview between Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew.
New Netflix film Scoop has shot to the top of the streamer's charts in the UK, captivating audiences with its depiction of the events which led to Prince Andrew's 2019 Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
The film, which is based on Sam McAlister's book of the same name, tells the story of how McAlister and the rest of the team behind the scenes secured the interview, while also recreating the memorable broadcast.
The cast is led by Gillian Anderson, Billie Piper, Keeley Hawes and Rufus Sewell, each of whom has been meticulously made-up and costumed to look like their characters' real-life counterparts.
We've collated some of the most faithful recreations of moments and looks below, including moments both from the interview and from other scenes throughout the film.
Read on for a gallery of Scoop's key players and moments alongside their real-life counterparts.
Read more:
- Scoop director on difficult tonal balance of "inadvertently funny story"
- Sam McAlister: ‘Watching Scoop was like being there all over again’
7 huge Scoop moments and figures side-by-side with real-life counterparts
1. Emily Maitlis presenting Newsnight
During the film, Maitlis is seen presenting episodes of BBC Newsnight, although no details are given linking these to specific episodes of the show.
2. Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis's walk from the interview
This moment was recreated directly from a photo which was released by the BBC to coincide with the interview. In the scene, Prince Andrew tells Emily Maitlis after the interview that he thought it "went very well".
3. The interview
The interview is faithfully recreated throughout the film, including utilising similar shots of the pair of them.
Sam McAlister told RadioTimes.com of these scenes: "I was literally there at the original and I was literally there at [director] Philip [Martin]'s vision of the new original with Rufus, and with Gillian.
"And with my eyes closed, it was like being there all over again. That is the magic of the performances, of the way that it's done, the eye for detail, the brilliant mise en scène, the direction, the lighting, whatever it is, at every layer.
"It is a profoundly moving and incredible experience to see once again, an interview you think you know, but you visit for the first time."
4. Keeley Hawes becomes Amanda Thirsk, Prince Andrew's Private Secretary
Amanda Thirsk, Prince Andrew's Private Secretary who helped to arrange the interview, is played in the film by Keeley Hawes.
Hawes said of playing Thirsk: "She was pivotal in the decision that Prince Andrew should do this interview with Newsnight, And so we meet her at a very early stage where she goes and agrees to have a meeting with Sam McAlister.
"The wheels start turning and Amanda Thirsk thinks that this could be a really good idea in terms of PR for Prince Andrew.
"I think her intentions were good and very honest. She was a great friend of his and she obviously thought he was a great person. She wanted everybody to see Prince Andrew the way that she saw him and thought that would be a really positive thing. Unfortunately, as we now know, it was not to be."
5. Charity Wakefield transforms into Princess Beatrice
Andrew's daughter Beatrice also makes an appearance in the film, and is played by actress Charity Wakefield.
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6. Billie Piper channels Sam McAlister
McAlister is played by Billie Piper in the film, and reacted to the casting when speaking with RadioTimes.com.
She said: "You wouldn't envisage that even for a second. I thought basically my mum would read the book, I felt hugely lucky to get to write a book even, particularly in the current climate.
"So to imagine that it would get, you know, some sales and then ended up as a Netflix movie with Billie Piper playing me. I mean, you'd think I was drunk if I said that! So I couldn't have imagined it, even if I was being really fantastical."
7. Rufus Sewell gets made up as Prince Andrew
You can watch a clip, released by Netflix, of Sewell being made up to look like Prince Andrew below. It is quite the transformation...
Scoop is available to stream on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.