Royal Resonance: Rufus Sewell Reigns as Prince Andrew in Netflix's Newest Drama - A Review

In the Heart of Buckingham: A Review of Netflix's 'Scoop' — Rufus Sewell's Compelling Portrayal of Prince Andrew

To have been a fly on that wall. Two chairs, six feet apart, in the south drawing room of Buckingham Palace. “Like a western!”, marvels Emily Maitlis (Gillian Anderson) before swooping in, armed with her trusty Bic, a notepad on her knees, and that coiled precision, never more lethal or exacting. Whatever rounds Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell) thinks he’s firing off seem to ricochet and lodge, for ever, in the very folds of his neck.

Newsnight wanted to put the Duke of York in the hot seat. Little did they know that burbling about his incapacity to sweat would prove such a grisly own goal. How on earth was it allowed to happen? It’s this question that Scoop dramatises with forensic rigour, courtesy of a wickedly astute script by Peter Moffat.

It all started with a picture. Detailed in a snappy 2010 prologue that actually makes tabloid photojournalism exciting, this showed the Prince papped next to Jeffrey Epstein in Central Park, when the latter was already a convicted sex offender. The taint wouldn’t go away, for all the efforts of Andrew’s private secretary Amanda Thirsk (Keeley Hawes – careworn, mumsy, deluded) to clean up his image.

For this reason, she arranged a call, then a cocktail, with the Newsnight booker Sam McAlister (Billie Piper), and the wheels were set in motion for the Prince to have his say. Scoop makes that coup feel momentous for the BBC, facing budget cuts and unending scrutiny about mattering. This certainly did matter: it’s not as though there’s a prime-time slot reserved annually for grilling a royal about purported sex crimes.

Maitlis, with the pressure on, was told to go for the jugular, give him nowhere to hide. Here she listens to McAlister’s advice instead – to guide him into the subject ever so gently, then give him enough rope to hang himself. For all the sensation their interview would cause, this re-enactment grips consistently as a revolving study in personalities – and not just theirs. A watchful, wary Romola Garai is not messing around as the programme’s editor, Esme Wren. Our real hero, though, is Piper’s McAlister – a single mum with a reputation for rocking up late, taking long lunches, and not having much to show for them. She’s a veteran schmoozer who feels her groundwork is routinely undervalued, probably because she’s working-class.

Revelations and Reflections: Rufus Sewell Shines in Netflix's 'Scoop'

In the realm of upper-crust portrayals, Gillian Anderson effortlessly embodies the persona of Emily Maitlis, showcasing her knack for refinement without breaking a sweat. But it's Rufus Sewell who steals the spotlight, emerging as the true revelation of the series. His portrayal of Prince Andrew is masterful, navigating the character's arrogance with just the right blend of charm and complexity.

From his outbursts over misplaced soft toys to the surreal scene of him emerging from a bath to face the fallout of his own actions, Sewell brings layers to Andrew's character that sets 'Scoop' apart from other royal dramas. The inclusion of Princess Beatrice adds another layer of discomfort, reminding viewers of the real-life gravity of the situation.

Director Philip Martin strikes a delicate balance, expertly toeing the line between absurdity and gravity, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. As the saga unfolds on screen, viewers are simultaneously horrified by the reality of the events and captivated by the expert storytelling.

'Scoop' is a compelling exploration of power, privilege, and the consequences of unchecked behavior, streaming now on Netflix.

In conclusion, 'Scoop' delivers a riveting portrayal of one of the most notorious chapters in recent royal history, anchored by standout performances from Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell. Seamlessly blending moments of absurdity with poignant reflections on privilege and accountability, the series captivates viewers from start to finish. With its skillful direction and compelling storytelling, 'Scoop' invites audiences to grapple with the complexities of power and responsibility in the modern world. As the credits roll, one is left both shaken by the gravity of the events depicted and in awe of the talent behind this gripping drama.