‘A Very Royal Scandal’ Review: Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen Revisit Prince Andrew’s ‘Newsnight’ Interview in Sturdy Amazon Miniseries

Amazon excitedly revealed that A Very Royal Scandal will be released on September 19, stating, "The highly praised A Very ... Scandal anthology is making a comeback!"

My main questions are: Was "Scandal" included to prevent anyone from thinking that A Very Royal Scandal is linked to a franchise that might have originated with A Very Brady Sequel in 1996? Do typical TV viewers even recognize the A Very Dot Dot Dot Scandal franchise? And more honestly, even if we agree that the A Very Dot Dot Dot Scandal franchise is real, what does it actually represent? What common themes connect 2018’s A Very English Scandal, 2021’s A Very British Scandal, and now A Very Royal Scandal, which are three separate limited series with no shared characters, actors, writers, or directors?

A Scandal Fit For Royalty

The Conclusion: It's done well, even though it's repetitive.

Release Date: Thursday, September 19 (available on Prime Video) Cast: Ruth Wilson, Michael Sheen, Joanna Scanlan, Alex Jennings, Éanna Hardwicke, Claire Rushbrook Screenwriter: Jeremy Brock Director: Julian Jarrold

The first two installments dealt with controversies from the pre-Internet era sparked by the British media, whereas A Very Royal Scandal takes place in the last ten years and includes social media interactions as a significant element. The earlier films featured strong duos in Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, as well as Claire Foy and Paul Bettany, whose performances were closely intertwined. In contrast, Royal seems to give stars Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen only about 25 minutes together in the middle of the series, and that’s about it. Ultimately, what sets A Very Dot Dot Dot Scandal apart as a series is the involvement of Blueprint Pictures as a producer, the three-part format, and possibly the overall quality, as all three films are quite impressive.

Additionally, the whole situation surrounding A Very Dot Dot Dot Scandal serves as a nice diversion. Otherwise, the only way to present A Very Royal Scandal is by saying, “You remember that Netflix movie, Scoop, from April about the infamous Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew? Well, this is pretty much the same thing. But entertaining, if that's your cup of tea.” The miniseries has a longer run time compared to Scoop's concise 103 minutes, which allows it to delve deeper into the emotions of the key characters before and after the pivotal moment. However, if you find these emotional explorations somewhat unconvincing, they might not add much value.

If you haven't watched Scoop yet, writer Jeremy Brock and director Julian Jarrold incorporate the Newsnight interview into the second episode, focusing primarily on the excitement leading up to it, which makes it one of the most entertaining segments of the series.

We are introduced to Prince Andrew (played by Sheen), the cherished second son of the unseen reigning king and the somewhat spoiled sibling of the future monarch. Andrew often brings up his military experience in the Falklands during conversations, showcasing his pride. He is a caring father to two daughters, Beatrice (portrayed by Honor Swinton Byrne) and Eugenie (played by Sofia Oxenham), and maintains a friendly relationship with his outspoken yet affectionate ex-wife, Fergie (played by Claire Rushbrook). At one point, he was also a close friend of Jeffrey Epstein (played by the remarkable John Hopkins). This connection has led him to face some controversies tied to Epstein and even some troubling claims from one of Epstein's victims. Although he has largely refrained from addressing these issues publicly, they resurface after Epstein's death in 2019.

This leads us to Emily Maitlis (Wilson), the presenter of Newsnight and executive producer of A Very Royal Scandal. Maitlis is highly respected, yet she has had her share of difficulties, including a persistent stalker and, more recently, allegations of partiality linked to an unfortunate but understandable eye roll during a broadcast. Following Epstein's death, Maitlis is intent on securing an exclusive interview with Prince Andrew, which she successfully arranges. Their conversation covers topics like Pizza Express and sweating, resulting in quite a scandal.

Since the interview is still fresh and not too far in the past, A Very Royal Scandal, similar to Scoop, serves as a great introduction. The actual discussion features two talented actors bringing to life moments from clips you could easily find on YouTube.

The film employs the imagery of ticking clocks to create tension, contrasting Maitlis's modern, digital approach with Prince Andrew's outdated, analogue existence. A Very Royal Scandal places a strong emphasis on exploring the characters of its two main subjects. It highlights their individual objectives during the Newsnight interview, preparing viewers for their responses to the public's reaction that unfolds in the final hour.

In Wilson’s portrayal (and Gillian Anderson’s in Scoop), Maitlis comes across as anxious and unsure of herself, often making mistakes. However, she has an impressive talent for springing into action when the pressure is on. She feels frustrated with the current state of journalism and is angered by the different standards applied to how women express themselves compared to men—similar to the small uproar over Kamala Harris' reactions during her debate with Donald Trump. Maitlis is also a strategic thinker like a chess player, supported by a strong team that includes Éanna Hardwicke’s Stewart MacLean and Clare Calbraith’s Sam McAlister (the role played by Billie Piper in Scoop).

In his portrayal, Sheen presents Prince Andrew quite differently than Rufus Sewell's more intense interpretation. Sheen's version depicts Andrew as a deeply insecure individual, someone who has struggled to receive clear answers throughout his life and continues to wrestle with self-doubt. The bulky suits and heavy makeup used in the portrayal don’t really change Sheen’s appearance; instead, they add a layer of semi-comedy to his performance. Andrew’s support team comprises Edward Young (Alex Jennings), the Queen’s private secretary, who is eager for Andrew to disappear before the Platinum Jubilee, and Amanda Thirsk (Joanna Scanlan), Andrew’s own private secretary, who is once again seen as the shortsighted mastermind behind this public relations fiasco.

For two hours, A Very Royal Scandal is expertly edited and cleverly crafted, even though it doesn't really unveil anything surprising, despite Maitlis being directly involved. While the dialogue is abundant, Jarrold and production designer Noam Piper keep the action moving through a range of upscale home environments, offering viewers, who might believe they're familiar with the story and locations, an enticing glimpse into private moments. Instead of sticking strictly to the visual style of Newsnight, Jarrold chooses to use close-up shots that highlight the performances of both main actors beautifully.

The concluding segment, intended to analyze the importance of the cultural event and its consequences, falters in its execution. Maitlis realizes that the broadcast might have shifted the focus onto her, pushing Epstein’s victims to the sidelines in a narrative that, by its very design, centers on Maitlis and overlooks those who suffered. This hint of hypocrisy feels more self-serving than genuinely reflective. Additionally, while *A Very Royal Scandal* offers no attempts to defend Prince Andrew—portraying him as a foolish figure—the series appears to show a growing sympathy toward him. This shift is partly due to the strong presence of Eugenie and Beatrice, who evoke empathy, and partly because the rest of the royal family treats Andrew so harshly, regardless of whether he deserves such treatment.

This results in a rather disappointing and unexciting ending to a story that has, for the second time this year, been quite captivating.

Now let's delve into A Very Brady Scandal.