Emily Maitlis, Esme Wren to be played in new Netflix film, Scoop

Scoop is a film based on the true events leading up to Prince Andrew’s explosive 2019 BBC Newsnight interview.

The film portrays the inner workings of high-stakes broadcast news, as two British institutions — Buckingham Palace and the BBC — clash over the story of a lifetime.

Gillian Anderson plays presenter and journalist Emily Maitlis as she grills Prince Andrew, played by Rufus Sewell, about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Esme Wren, who was editor of Newsnight at the time of the interview, is played by Romola Garai.

Sam McAlister, who secured the interview for BBC Newsnight, said of Billie Piper playing her: “Billie really encapsulated that mix between seriousness and the lighter side of my character.

“To watch her literally transform, change her voice, [and wear] the extraordinary wig, my nails, the makeup, the roster of black clothing — it’s exactly the same. So meta and surreal.

Scoop will stream on Netflix on 5th April 2024.