ABOVE AVERAGE

The story of how Prince Andrew in 2019 unwisely tried to shut down discussions about his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by talking about them in a BBC interview was told in a 2024 Netflix movie, Scoop. This miniseries surprisingly shows that the subject needed a more in-depth treatment.

As the filmmakers jump back and forth between critical moments in the relationship between Andrew and Epstein, we also follow how the experience affected Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis.

As in Scoop, that part of the story can’t hold a candle to the compelling portrait of the royals and the people who are meant to advise and protect them; Michael Sheen is excellent as the arrogant, naive prince.

2024-U.K. 180 min. Color. Directed by Julian Jarrold. Teleplay: Jeremy Brock. Book: Emily Maitlis (”Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News”). Cast: Ruth Wilson (Emily Maitlis), Michael Sheen (Prince Andrew), Alex Jennings (Sir Edward Young), Joanna Scanlan, Éanna Hardwicke, Lydia Leonard. 

Trivia: Originally shown in three episodes.

Last word: “The two biggest clashes with reality for [Andrew] – the breaking through of the royal bubble and actually experiencing the reality of the real world – were the Falklands and the interview with Emily Maitlis. That’s where the bubble burst; one is a high point for him, and one is a low point for him.” (Sheen, The Daily Beast)