Reports say that Gillian Anderson was "scared" to play BBC Newsnight Anchor Emily Maitlis.&nbsp;

For <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/gillian-anderson-video-the-first-lady-eleanor-roosevelt-the-crown-margaret-thatcher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gillian Anderson</a>'s latest project, Scoop, she will transform into Emily Maitlis, the journalist who performed the shocking interview with <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/queen-elizabeth-strips-prince-andrew-royal-military-titles-jeffrey-epstein-sexual-abuse-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Prince Andrew </a>regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. For years, Princess Diana's interview with Martin Bashir was known to be the most infamous interview a member of the royal family has done with the media and was even used as a plotline in the fifth season of The Crown. But many can agree that the shock value of the interview the former Princess of Wales gave dwarfs in comparison to the 2019 interview the Duke of York sat for. The disastrous interview, featuring the stuttering and distraught prince, went viral, and in the weeks following, Prince Andrew announced he was stepping back from his royal duties.&nbsp;
Scoop tells the story of how that interview came to be. The logline describes it as an "insider account of the inner workings of the palace and the BBC, twin bastions of the British establishment," showcasing how a female-led team secured "the scoop of the decade that led to [a] catastrophic fall from grace."
According to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68558061" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the BBC</a>, Anderson was initially scared to play the former BBC journalist and initially turned down the role. "It was just too scary to play Emily Maitlis, because she's still living, because she's so formidable, because people know her so well," Anderson said. Anderson also revealed that she's actually quite close with the anchor. "I think she's amazing, I've since met her and behaved with her as if I knew her. As if we were best friends," the actress said about Maitlis and recalled a jovial run-in she had with the journalist at a Cancer Research fundraiser.&nbsp;
Along with Gillian Anderson, Philip Martin is also an alum of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/ed-mcvey-the-crown-season-6-prince-william-actor-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Crown</a> on this project. Known for directing some of the most gripping episodes in the first season of The Crown, Martin is at the helm of Scoop. While Gillian Anderson plays the former lead Newsnight anchor, Rufus Sewell, recently known for his role in Old and the Judy Garland biopic Judy, will lead alongside Anderson as Prince Andrew, his daughter, Beatrice, will portrayed by Charity Wakefield.&nbsp;
After the scandalous interview, it was reported by many that Princess Beatrice and Eugenie kept a low profile due to the shame their father incurred on them. However, now with a Netflix film being made about the saga, the events surrounding the regretful interview will rear its head again.&nbsp;
Keeley Hawes will also join the cast as Amanda Thirsk, who was the Duke&rsquo;s private secretary at the time.&nbsp;Other cast members include Romola Garai from "Atonement" and "Emma," who joins as Newsnight editor Esme Wren; Lia Williams, known for portraying Wallis Simpson in "The Crown," takes on the role of Fran Unsworth, the BBC&rsquo;s director of news and current affairs; Connor Swindells from "Sex Education" portrays photographer Jae Donnelly, who captured the infamous image of Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein in Central Park.&nbsp;

Still from 'Scoop'. Photo courtesy of Netflix.

Photography by Nick Thompson for L'OFFICIEL Spring 2022.

'Scoop' Puts Prince Andrew Back in the Spotlight

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'Scoop' Puts Prince Andrew Back in the Spotlight

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