This England (TV series)
This England | |
---|---|
Written by | Michael Winterbottom Kieron Quirke |
Directed by | Michael Winterbottom Julian Jarrold |
Starring | Kenneth Branagh |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | Richard Brown Melissa Parmenter Josh Hyams |
Production companies | Fremantle Passenger Revolution Films |
Original release | |
Network | Sky Atlantic |
Release | 28 September 2022 |
This England is an upcoming five-part television drama. It will premiere on Sky Atlantic and Now on 28 September 2022.[1] 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.[2]
Plot
Boris Johnson becomes Prime Minister and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom occurs. Johnson himself is hospitalised with COVID-19, and his son is born.[2]
Cast
- Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson
- Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Symonds
- Andrew Buchan as Matt Hancock
- Tim Goodman as Stanley Johnson
- Alec Nicholls as Sir Patrick Vallance
- James Corrigan as Isaac Levido
- Rachel Sophia-Anthony as Lola Aldenjana
- Simon Kunz as Andrew Mills
- Greta Bellamacina as Cleo Watson
- Simon Paisley Day as Dominic Cummings
- Bitu Thomas as Priti Patel
- Hiten Patel as Asif
Production
The miniseries was first announced in June 2020 as This Sceptred Isle.[3] It was co-written by Michael Winterbottom and Kieron Quirke.[4] Kenneth Branagh's casting as Boris Johnson was announced in January 2021. The series is being produced by Fremantle, Passenger and Revolution Films,[3] with Richard Brown of Passenger and Melissa Parmenter of Revolution Films serving as executive producers.[5] All five episodes were originally set to be directed by Winterbottom,[4] but after the miniseries began filming in February 2021,[6] Winterbottom stepped down from directing in March, reportedly due to health issues. He was replaced by Julian Jarrold.[7] Tim Shipman, the political editor of The Sunday Times, is acting as a consultant. In March 2021, Ophelia Lovibond and Simon Paisley Day joined the cast as Carrie Symonds and Dominic Cummings.[8] It was set to premiere on 21 September 2022;[9] on 9 September 2022, the premiere was pushed back by one week, to 28 September 2022, to respect the UK period of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II.[10]
References
- ^ "Sky Shifting 'This England' Launch Date By One Week To Respect UK Period Of Mourning". Deadline. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Sky Drops First Look at Kenneth Branagh as British PM Boris Johnson in 'This Sceptred Isle'". 25 February 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Boris Johnson Drama 'This England' Starring Kenneth Branagh Sells to 88 Territories". 18 August 2022.
- ^ "Sky Shifting 'This England' Launch Date by One Week to Respect UK Period of Mourning". 9 September 2022.
- Sky Atlantic original programming
- 2022 British television series debuts
- 2020s British drama television series
- 2020s British political television series
- British political drama television series
- English-language television shows
- Media depictions of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
- Television shows about the COVID-19 pandemic
- Cultural depictions of Boris Johnson
- Television series by Fremantle (company)
- Television series about prime ministers