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{{Short description|2022 British television docudrama by Michael Winterbottom}}
{{distinguish|This Is England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image = This_England_poster.jpeg
| name = This Sceptred Isle
| caption = Promotional poster
| writer = [[Michael Winterbottom]]<br>[[Kieron Quirke]]
| writer = {{plainlist|
| director = Michael Winterbottom
* [[Michael Winterbottom]]
| starring = [[Kenneth Branagh]]
* [[Kieron Quirke]]
}}
| director = {{plainlist|
* Michael Winterbottom
* [[Julian Jarrold]]
* Anthony Wilcox
* [[Mat Whitecross]]
}}
| genre = [[Drama (film and television)|Drama]]
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Kenneth Branagh]]
* [[Ophelia Lovibond]]
* [[Andrew Buchan]]
* [[Simon Paisley Day]]
* [[Charles Dance]]
}}
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| language = English
| num_episodes = 6
| executive_producer = Richard Brown<br>Melissa Parmenter
| executive_producer = [[Richard Brown (producer)|Richard Brown]]
| company = [[Fremantle (company)|Fremantle]]<br>Passenger<br>[[Revolution Films]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
* Melissa Parmenter
* Josh Hyams
}}
| company = {{plainlist|
* [[Fremantle (company)|Fremantle]]
* Passenger
* [[Revolution Films]]
}}
| network = [[Sky Atlantic]]
| network = [[Sky Atlantic]]
| released = 2022
| released = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=yes}}
}}
}}
'''''This Sceptred Isle''''' is an upcoming five-part television drama. It will air on [[Sky Atlantic]] and [[Now TV (Sky)|Now TV]] in autumn 2022. It will recount the first wave of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]], based on testimonies of people from the government, the [[Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies]], care homes and hospitals.<ref name=SkyNews>{{Cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/kenneth-branagh-transforms-into-boris-johnson-in-uncanny-first-look-photo-for-new-coronavirus-drama-12228601|title=Kenneth Branagh transforms into Boris Johnson in uncanny first-look photo for new coronavirus drama|work=Sky News|date=25 February 2021|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>


'''''This England''''' (originally titled '''''This Sceptred Isle''''') is a British [[docudrama]] television [[miniseries]] written by [[Michael Winterbottom]] and [[Kieron Quirke]]. It depicts the first wave of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]] based on testimonies of people in the [[Premiership of Boris Johnson|Boris Johnson administration]], on the various intergovernmental advisory groups (including the [[Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies]]), and in other affected British institutions such as care homes and hospitals.<ref name=SkyNews>{{Cite news| url=https://news.sky.com/story/kenneth-branagh-transforms-into-boris-johnson-in-uncanny-first-look-photo-for-new-coronavirus-drama-12228601 |title=Kenneth Branagh transforms into Boris Johnson in uncanny first-look photo for new coronavirus drama|work=Sky News|date=25 February 2021|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225191812/https://news.sky.com/story/kenneth-branagh-transforms-into-boris-johnson-in-uncanny-first-look-photo-for-new-coronavirus-drama-12228601|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/b9bca18e-13e2-4685-a785-0f3c6fed5c40 | title=Boris Johnson and Covid dramatised in This England: 'People might say we went too easy on him' | newspaper=Financial Times | date=20 September 2022 }}</ref> It premiered on [[Sky Atlantic]] and [[Now (Sky)|Now]] on 28 September 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/queen-this-england-sky-date-launch-boris-johnson-elizabeth-kenneth-branagh-1235112871/ | title=Sky Shifting 'This England' Launch Date By One Week To Respect UK Period Of Mourning | website = Deadline |date=9 September 2022 |access-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> [[Kenneth Branagh]] stars as [[Boris Johnson]], and [[Ophelia Lovibond]] as [[Carrie Johnson|Carrie Symonds]].
==Plot==

[[Boris Johnson]] becomes Prime Minister and the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]] occurs. Johnson himself is hospitalised with [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]], and his son is born.<ref name=SkyNews/>
==Background==
[[Boris Johnson]] wins a [[landslide victory]] in the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|December 2019 general election]] under the ''[[Get Brexit Done]]'' slogan, but within a few months faces the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]], for which he is ultimately hospitalised, and the birth of his first child with his then partner [[Carrie Johnson|Carrie Symonds]].<ref name=SkyNews/>


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Kenneth Branagh]] as [[Boris Johnson]]<ref name=Variety>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-sky-this-sceptred-isle-1234915039/|title=See First Photo of Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson|work=Variety|last=Ravindran|first=Manori|date=25 February 2021|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref>
* [[Kenneth Branagh]] as [[Boris Johnson]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kenneth-branagh-on-playing-boris-he-has-a-certain-loneliness-8w0bqmq0b | title=Kenneth Branagh on playing Boris: 'He has a certain loneliness' | last1=Glancy | first1=Josh }}</ref>
* [[Simon Paisley Day]] as [[Dominic Cummings]]
* [[Ophelia Lovibond]] as [[Carrie Johnson|Carrie Symonds]]
* [[Andrew Buchan]] as [[Matt Hancock]]
* Derek Barr as [[Lee Cain]]
* James Corrigan as [[Isaac Levido]]
* Jimmy Livingstone as [[Chris Whitty|Prof. Chris Whitty]]
* [[Simon Treves]] as [[Stephen Powis|Prof. Sir Stephen Powis]], Medical Director NHS England
* Julia Farino as [[Amanda Pritchard]], Chief Operating Officer, NHS England
* [[Simon Lowe]] as [[James Slack]]
* Philip Buck as [[Martin Reynolds (civil servant)|Martin Reynolds]]
* [[Neil Stuke]] as Senior Civil Servant, Department of Health
* Shri Patel as [[Rishi Sunak]]
* [[Aimée Kelly]] as Alison and Elise Larkin
* Joe Bannister as [[Jack Doyle (journalist)|Jack Doyle]]
* [[Greta Bellamacina]] as [[Cleo Watson]]
* Rina Mahoney as Julie
* Olivier Huband as Jamie Njoku-Goodwin
* [[Adrian Harris]] as [[Duncan Selbie]]
* Alec Nicholls as [[Patrick Vallance|Sir Patrick Vallance]]
* [[Ben Lloyd-Hughes]] as Ben Gascoigne
* [[Michael Colgan (actor)|Michael Colgan]] as Gabriel Milland
* Salima Saxton as Teena
* Wasim Zakir as Dr. Amir Hamdi
* Tom Andrews as Dr. Tom Armstrong
* [[Justin Edwards (actor)|Justin Edwards]] as [[Mark Sedwill]]
* Lee Comley as Ben
* Ravin J. Ganatra as Roshan
* [[Helen Monks]] as Jodie
* Albin Calderon as Manny
* [[Heather Peace]] as [[Mary Wakefield (journalist)|Mary Wakefield]]
* Ruth Redman as [[Yvonne Doyle (physician)|Yvonne Doyle]]
* Isabella Javor as Lara
* Roisin Rae as Sally
* Joan Walker as [[Sharon Peacock]]
* Adam Oakley as Government Press Advisor (uncredited)
* Rachel Sophia-Anthony as Lola Aldenjana (uncredited)
* Julie Williamson as Downing Street Staff (uncredited)
* Michael Barron as [[Edward Lister, Baron Udny-Lister|Baron Eddie Lister]] (uncredited)
* Jarek Ciepichal as Police Protection Officer (uncredited)
* Richard Tree as Downing Street Staff (uncredited)
* Tony Hood as Security Guard No. 10 (uncredited)
{{div col end}}

[[Tim Harford]], Kate Lawson and Richard Vadon also appear as themselves presenting ''[[More or Less (radio programme)|More or Less]]''.

==Episodes==
{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |country=U.K. |viewers= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Episode 1
|DirectedBy = Julian Jarrold and Michael Winterbottom
|WrittenBy = Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Episode 2
|DirectedBy = Julian Jarrold and Anthony Wilcox
|WrittenBy = Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Episode 3
|DirectedBy = Julian Jarrold and Anthony Wilcox
|WrittenBy = Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Episode 4
|DirectedBy = Julian Jarrold and Anthony Wilcox
|WrittenBy = Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Episode 5
|DirectedBy = Julian Jarrold and Anthony Wilcox
|WrittenBy = Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Episode 6
|DirectedBy = Julian Jarrold, Mat Whitecross and Michael Winterbottom
|WrittenBy = Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|9|28|df=y}}
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
}}


==Production==
==Production==
The series was first announced in June 2020.<ref name=Variety/> It was co-written by [[Michael Winterbottom]] and [[Kieron Quirke]].<ref name=TheGuardian>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/23/kenneth-branagh-to-play-boris-johnson-in-tv-drama-about-covid-crisis|title=Kenneth Branagh to play Boris Johnson in TV drama about Covid crisis|work=The Guardian|date=23 January 2021|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> [[Kenneth Branagh]]'s casting as [[Boris Johnson]] was announced in January 2021. The series is being produced by [[Fremantle (company)|Fremantle]], Passenger and [[Revolution Films]],<ref name=Variety/> with Richard Brown of Passenger and Melissa Parmenter of Revolution Films serving as executive producers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/michael-winterbottom-revolution-films-first-look-deal-fremantle-1234616126/|title=Michael Winterbottom's Revolution Films Inks First-Look Deal With Fremantle|work=Deadline|last=Kanter|first=Jake|date=16 November 2020|access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> All five episodes are being directed by Winterbottom,<ref name=TheGuardian/> while [[Tim Shipman]], the political editor of ''The Sunday Times'', is acting as a consultant. Filming has begun for the series.<ref name=SkyNews/>
The miniseries was announced in June 2020 as ''This Sceptred Isle''.<ref name="Variety">{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-sky-this-sceptred-isle-1234915039/|title=See First Photo of Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson|work=Variety|last=Ravindran|first=Manori|date=25 February 2021|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225143010/https://variety.com/2021/tv/global/kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-sky-this-sceptred-isle-1234915039/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was co-written by [[Michael Winterbottom]] and [[Kieron Quirke]].<ref name=TheGuardian>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/23/kenneth-branagh-to-play-boris-johnson-in-tv-drama-about-covid-crisis|title=Kenneth Branagh to play Boris Johnson in TV drama about Covid crisis|work=The Guardian|date=23 January 2021|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225182556/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/23/kenneth-branagh-to-play-boris-johnson-in-tv-drama-about-covid-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kenneth Branagh]]'s casting as [[Boris Johnson]] was announced in January 2021. The series was produced by [[Fremantle (company)|Fremantle]], Passenger and [[Revolution Films]],<ref name="Variety"/> with Richard Brown of Passenger and Melissa Parmenter of Revolution Films serving as executive producers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/michael-winterbottom-revolution-films-first-look-deal-fremantle-1234616126/|title=Michael Winterbottom's Revolution Films Inks First-Look Deal With Fremantle|work=Deadline|last=Kanter|first=Jake|date=16 November 2020|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201235922/https://deadline.com/2020/11/michael-winterbottom-revolution-films-first-look-deal-fremantle-1234616126/|url-status=live}}</ref>

All episodes were originally set to be directed by Winterbottom,<ref name=TheGuardian/> but after the miniseries began filming in February 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://deadline.com/2021/02/first-look-kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-this-sceptred-isle-1234700816/|title = Sky Drops First Look at Kenneth Branagh as British PM Boris Johnson in 'This Sceptred Isle'|date = 25 February 2021|website=Deadline|access-date = 30 June 2021|archive-date = 9 July 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181227/https://deadline.com/2021/02/first-look-kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-this-sceptred-isle-1234700816/|url-status = live}}</ref> Winterbottom stepped down from directing in March, reportedly due to health issues. He was replaced by [[Julian Jarrold]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/michael-winterbottom-takes-break-from-directing-covid-tv-drama-this-sceptred-isle-due-to-ill-health-4155256/|title=Michael Winterbottom Takes Break from Directing COVID TV Drama 'This Sceptred Isle' Due to Ill Health|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=24 March 2021|access-date=30 June 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181216/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/michael-winterbottom-takes-break-from-directing-covid-tv-drama-this-sceptred-isle-due-to-ill-health-4155256/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Tim Shipman]], political editor of ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', acted as a consultant. In March 2021, [[Ophelia Lovibond]] and [[Simon Paisley Day]] joined the cast as [[Carrie Symonds]] and [[Dominic Cummings]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/ophelia-lovibond-simon-paisley-day-sky-this-sceptred-isle-carrie-symonds-dominic-cummings-1234705597/|title=Ophelia Lovibond, Simon Paisley Day Join Sky's UK Covid Crisis Series 'This Sceptred Isle' As Carrie Symonds & Dominic Cummings|work=Deadline|last=Kanter|first=Jake|date=3 March 2021|access-date=4 March 2021|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303224509/https://deadline.com/2021/03/ophelia-lovibond-simon-paisley-day-sky-this-sceptred-isle-carrie-symonds-dominic-cummings-1234705597/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, it was announced that Sky had changed the title from ''This Sceptred Isle'' to ''This England''. Both phrases are taken from the same passage in Shakespeare's ''[[Richard II (play)|Richard II]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/michael-winterbottom-says-boris-johnson-series-this-england-not-revised-after-partygate-revelations/5173520.article | title=Michael Winterbottom says Boris Johnson series 'This England' not revised after partygate revelations }}</ref> The miniseries was set to premiere on 21 September 2022;<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/boris-johnson-this-england-kenneth-branagh-fremantle-sales-1235095100/ | title=Boris Johnson Drama 'This England' Starring Kenneth Branagh Sells to 88 Territories | date=18 August 2022|access-date=23 September 2022 }}</ref> however on 9 September 2022 the premiere was pushed back to 28 September 2022, in respect of the [[Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II|UK period of mourning]] for the late Queen [[Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/queen-this-england-sky-date-launch-boris-johnson-elizabeth-kenneth-branagh-1235112871/ | title=Sky Shifting 'This England' Launch Date by One Week to Respect UK Period of Mourning | date=9 September 2022|access-date=23 September 2022 }}</ref>

==Reception==
The series received mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63058811 | title=This England: Critics mixed over Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Boris Johnson | website=[[BBC News]] | date=30 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref> with some British critics feeling that it was too soon for such a drama.<ref>{{cite web | newspaper=[[Financial Times]] | url=https://www.ft.com/content/8a432a17-6ced-403a-8fa1-aac30de132cb | title=This England, Sky Atlantic review — Boris Johnson pandemic drama is both premature and dated ★★★☆☆ | first=Dan | last=Einav | date=28 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/02/this-england-covid-pandemic-drama-michael-winterbottom-kenneth-branagh-review-make-me-prime-minister-inside-man-stanley-tucci-industry | title=The week in TV: This England; Make Me Prime Minister; Inside Man; Industry | first=Barbara | last=Ellen | date=2 October 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref><ref name=BBC1>{{cite web | website=[[BBC Culture]] | url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20220927-this-england-review-boris-johnson-drama-is-too-soon | title=This England review: Boris Johnson drama is 'too soon' ★★★☆☆| first= Neil |last=Armstrong | date=28 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' said: "here comes the show that precisely nobody was asking for".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/this-england-reviews-boris-johnson-carrie-kenneth-branagh-b2177726.html | title=This England is a Covid drama that should be avoided like the plague ★★☆☆☆| newspaper=[[Independent.co.uk]] | date=29 September 2022 | first=Nick | last=Hilton | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref> The ''[[New York Times]]'' said it "debuted with solid ratings" and said, "It adds up to a heartbreaking depiction of the pressure on health workers, and the fear, pain and often lonely deaths of those hooked up to ventilators".<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/arts/television/this-england-coronavirus.html | title=Britain Wonders, Is It Too Soon to Dramatize the Pandemic? | first=Mark | last=Lander | date=30 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref> ''[[The Times]]'' praised the series and called it "An impressive enterprise but not an easy watch".<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=[[The Times]] | first=Liam | last=Fay | title=This England review — Behind the scenes as Boris unravels ★★★★☆ | date=2 October 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022 | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/this-england-review-behind-the-scenes-as-boris-unravels-8pxx3bcgb}}</ref> ''[[The Irish Times]]'' said "If you can stomach the material, this show is hugely watchable".<ref>{{cite news | newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio/2022/09/28/this-england-beneath-the-prosthetics-kenneth-branagh-seems-rather-fond-of-the-mercurial-boris-johnson/ | title=This England review: If you can stomach the material, this show is hugely watchable. ★★★★☆ | first=Ed | last=Power | date=28 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref>

Branagh was praised for his performance,<ref name=BBC1/> with ''The Times'' calling it mesmerising.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/this-england-review-kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-jglq3b7jt | title=This England review — Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Boris Johnson is mesmerising ★★★★☆ | first=Carol | last=Mideley | date=27 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022 }}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[New Statesman]]'' felt the series was overly sympathethic to Johnson, as well as sanitised and detached from the front line experience.<ref>{{cite web | first=Rachel | last=Cook | accessdate=4 October 2022 | url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/tv/2022/09/michael-winterbottom-this-england-review-drama-odd-watch | title=Michael Winterbottom's This England is odd and oddly repellent | date=28 September 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Lucy | last=Mangan | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/28/this-england-review-so-sympathetic-to-boris-johnson-it-is-absolutely-bananas | title=This England review – so sympathetic to Boris Johnson it is absolutely bananas. ★★☆☆☆| newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=28 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Rod| last=Dacombe| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/29/pandemic-covid-drama-this-england-paramedic-boris-johnson | title=I will never forget the brutal realities of the pandemic - This England brushes them aside. | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=29 September 2022 | accessdate=8 February 2023}}</ref> The ''[[NME]]'' praised the series, but said that the format "takes some getting used to" as it oscillates between harrowing scenes in hospitals to events that resemble the 2005 BBC political satire ''[[The Thick of It]]''.<ref>{{cite web | magazine=NME | url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/reviews/tv-reviews/this-england-review-kenneth-branagh-boris-johnson-3319162 | title='This England' review: Kenneth Branagh and the big, blond buffoon. ★★★★☆ | first=James | last=Mottram | date=28 September 2022 | accessdate=4 October 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[Brexit: The Uncivil War]]'', a 2019 film featuring Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson
*[[COVID-19 pandemic in popular culture]]
*[[Boris Johnson in popular culture]]
* [[Politics in fiction]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title | 12594678}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|tv/this_england}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl8PolKlg5U ''This England''] Sky official trailer


{{Michael Winterbottom}}
{{Michael Winterbottom}}
{{Sky Atlantic}}
{{Sky Atlantic}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories}}
{{Boris Johnson}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Upcoming films]]
[[Category:Sky Atlantic original programming]]
[[Category:Sky Atlantic original programming]]
[[Category:2020s British drama television series]]
[[Category:Television series by Fremantle (company)]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Television series set in 2020]]
[[Category:2022 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2022 British television series endings]]
[[Category:2020s British political television series]]
[[Category:2020s British television miniseries]]
[[Category:2020s British workplace drama television series]]
[[Category:British political drama television series]]
[[Category:Media depictions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Television shows about the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Television shows about the COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Boris Johnson]]
[[Category:Television series about prime ministers]]

Latest revision as of 15:18, 23 June 2024

Not to be confused with This Is England.

This England
Promotional poster
GenreDrama
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerRichard Brown
Producers
  • Melissa Parmenter
  • Josh Hyams
Production companies
Original release
NetworkSky Atlantic
Release28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)

This England (originally titled This Sceptred Isle) is a British docudrama television miniseries written by Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke. It depicts the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom based on testimonies of people in the Boris Johnson administration, on the various intergovernmental advisory groups (including the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), and in other affected British institutions such as care homes and hospitals.[1][2] It premiered on Sky Atlantic and Now on 28 September 2022.[3] Kenneth Branagh stars as Boris Johnson, and Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Symonds.

Background

[edit]

Boris Johnson wins a landslide victory in the December 2019 general election under the Get Brexit Done slogan, but within a few months faces the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, for which he is ultimately hospitalised, and the birth of his first child with his then partner Carrie Symonds.[1]

Cast

[edit]

Tim Harford, Kate Lawson and Richard Vadon also appear as themselves presenting More or Less.

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.K. viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"Julian Jarrold and Michael WinterbottomMichael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)N/A
2"Episode 2"Julian Jarrold and Anthony WilcoxMichael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)N/A
3"Episode 3"Julian Jarrold and Anthony WilcoxMichael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)N/A
4"Episode 4"Julian Jarrold and Anthony WilcoxMichael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)N/A
5"Episode 5"Julian Jarrold and Anthony WilcoxMichael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)N/A
6"Episode 6"Julian Jarrold, Mat Whitecross and Michael WinterbottomMichael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke28 September 2022 (2022-09-28)N/A

Production

[edit]

The miniseries was announced in June 2020 as This Sceptred Isle.[5] It was co-written by Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke.[6] Kenneth Branagh's casting as Boris Johnson was announced in January 2021. The series was produced by Fremantle, Passenger and Revolution Films,[5] with Richard Brown of Passenger and Melissa Parmenter of Revolution Films serving as executive producers.[7]

All episodes were originally set to be directed by Winterbottom,[6] but after the miniseries began filming in February 2021,[8] Winterbottom stepped down from directing in March, reportedly due to health issues. He was replaced by Julian Jarrold.[9] Tim Shipman, political editor of The Sunday Times, acted as a consultant. In March 2021, Ophelia Lovibond and Simon Paisley Day joined the cast as Carrie Symonds and Dominic Cummings.[10]

In 2022, it was announced that Sky had changed the title from This Sceptred Isle to This England. Both phrases are taken from the same passage in Shakespeare's Richard II.[11] The miniseries was set to premiere on 21 September 2022;[12] however on 9 September 2022 the premiere was pushed back to 28 September 2022, in respect of the UK period of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II.[13]

Reception

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The series received mixed reviews,[14] with some British critics feeling that it was too soon for such a drama.[15][16][17] The Independent said: "here comes the show that precisely nobody was asking for".[18] The New York Times said it "debuted with solid ratings" and said, "It adds up to a heartbreaking depiction of the pressure on health workers, and the fear, pain and often lonely deaths of those hooked up to ventilators".[19] The Times praised the series and called it "An impressive enterprise but not an easy watch".[20] The Irish Times said "If you can stomach the material, this show is hugely watchable".[21]

Branagh was praised for his performance,[17] with The Times calling it mesmerising.[22] The Guardian and New Statesman felt the series was overly sympathethic to Johnson, as well as sanitised and detached from the front line experience.[23][24][25] The NME praised the series, but said that the format "takes some getting used to" as it oscillates between harrowing scenes in hospitals to events that resemble the 2005 BBC political satire The Thick of It.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Kenneth Branagh transforms into Boris Johnson in uncanny first-look photo for new coronavirus drama". Sky News. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Boris Johnson and Covid dramatised in This England: 'People might say we went too easy on him'". Financial Times. 20 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Sky Shifting 'This England' Launch Date By One Week To Respect UK Period Of Mourning". Deadline. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. ^ Glancy, Josh. "Kenneth Branagh on playing Boris: 'He has a certain loneliness'".
  5. ^ a b Ravindran, Manori (25 February 2021). "See First Photo of Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson". Variety. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Kenneth Branagh to play Boris Johnson in TV drama about Covid crisis". The Guardian. 23 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  7. ^ Kanter, Jake (16 November 2020). "Michael Winterbottom's Revolution Films Inks First-Look Deal With Fremantle". Deadline. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Sky Drops First Look at Kenneth Branagh as British PM Boris Johnson in 'This Sceptred Isle'". Deadline. 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Michael Winterbottom Takes Break from Directing COVID TV Drama 'This Sceptred Isle' Due to Ill Health". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 March 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  10. ^ Kanter, Jake (3 March 2021). "Ophelia Lovibond, Simon Paisley Day Join Sky's UK Covid Crisis Series 'This Sceptred Isle' As Carrie Symonds & Dominic Cummings". Deadline. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Michael Winterbottom says Boris Johnson series 'This England' not revised after partygate revelations".
  12. ^ "Boris Johnson Drama 'This England' Starring Kenneth Branagh Sells to 88 Territories". 18 August 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  13. ^ "Sky Shifting 'This England' Launch Date by One Week to Respect UK Period of Mourning". 9 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  14. ^ "This England: Critics mixed over Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Boris Johnson". BBC News. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  15. ^ Einav, Dan (28 September 2022). "This England, Sky Atlantic review — Boris Johnson pandemic drama is both premature and dated ★★★☆☆". Financial Times. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  16. ^ Ellen, Barbara (2 October 2022). "The week in TV: This England; Make Me Prime Minister; Inside Man; Industry". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  17. ^ a b Armstrong, Neil (28 September 2022). "This England review: Boris Johnson drama is 'too soon' ★★★☆☆". BBC Culture. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  18. ^ Hilton, Nick (29 September 2022). "This England is a Covid drama that should be avoided like the plague ★★☆☆☆". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  19. ^ Lander, Mark (30 September 2022). "Britain Wonders, Is It Too Soon to Dramatize the Pandemic?". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  20. ^ Fay, Liam (2 October 2022). "This England review — Behind the scenes as Boris unravels ★★★★☆". The Times. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  21. ^ Power, Ed (28 September 2022). "This England review: If you can stomach the material, this show is hugely watchable. ★★★★☆". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  22. ^ Mideley, Carol (27 September 2022). "This England review — Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Boris Johnson is mesmerising ★★★★☆". Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  23. ^ Cook, Rachel (28 September 2022). "Michael Winterbottom's This England is odd and oddly repellent". Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  24. ^ Mangan, Lucy (28 September 2022). "This England review – so sympathetic to Boris Johnson it is absolutely bananas. ★★☆☆☆". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  25. ^ Dacombe, Rod (29 September 2022). "I will never forget the brutal realities of the pandemic - This England brushes them aside". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  26. ^ Mottram, James (28 September 2022). "'This England' review: Kenneth Branagh and the big, blond buffoon. ★★★★☆". NME. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
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