Scoop, a Netflix movie about Prince Andrew’s car crash BBC interview, is in the works – here’s everything we know

If there’s one thing that royal drama makes for, it’s great movies – so Scoop, the latest film announcement from Netflix, is set to be a corker. 

Intriguingly, the movie will tell the story of events leading up to Prince Andrew’s car crash BBC Newsnight interview with journalist Emily Maitlis, based on the book Scoops: Behind The Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews by TV producer Sam McAlister – who will also be portrayed in the film.

The interview, broadcast in November 2019, was seen by many as a turning point in the Prince Andrew scandal – not long afterwards, he stood down from public duties. Later, in 2022, The Queen announced that he would be stripped of his royal titles, patronages and military affiliations – as he faced a US civil action lawsuit over sexual assault allegations from Virginia Giuffre, allegations which the Prince has always vehemently denied In February 2022, he settled the lawsuit without admitting any liability for wrongdoing.

Here’s everything we know about Scoop so far…

What is the plot of Scoop?

If the book is anything to go by, then Scoop will be a behind-the-scenes account of Prince Andrew’s now-notorious interview regarding his relationship with convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein – telling the story of the team that secured the ‘scoop’.

According to the movie’s logline, it will also explore the process of communicating with the royal family’s staff and inner circle, as well as delving into Prince Andrew’s own psyche.

It reads: “The inside track of the women that broke through the Buckingham Palace establishment to secure the scoop of the decade that led to the catastrophic fall from grace of The Queen’s ‘favourite son’. From navigating Palace vetoes, to breaking through to Prince Andrew’s inner circle, the high stakes negotiations and intensity of rehearsal – to the jaw dropping interview itself. SCOOP is the insider account of the inner workings of the Palace and the BBC, twin bastions of the British Establishment, spotlighting the journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings – and into the inner sanctum and calculations of a man with everything to lose.”

Who is in the cast of Scoop?

Some big names have signed on to bring the story to life. Sex Education‘s Gillian Anderson will portray journalist Emily Maitlis, while Billie Piper will play producer Sam McAlister – Keeley Hawes also stars as Prince Andrew’s private secretary Amanda Thirsk. Playing Prince Andrew is Rufus Sewell.

Sam McAlister herself tweeted of the news: “Thrilled that my book #Scoops is becoming a Netflix film, with an extraordinary cast. Being played by @billiepiper is beyond my wildest dreams.”