Hugh Grantis reportedly one of the actors under consideration to playPrince AndrewinScoop, a new film about his disastrous BBC interview about the royal’s relationship with convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein. Grant is “on the shortlist” of actors to portray the disgraced royal in the upcoming film written by acclaimedYour HonorscreenwriterPeter Moffat,Deadlinereported.
The film will tell the story of how the BBC secured the 2019 Newsnight interview with the Duke about his friendship with the convicted sex offender. In the interview, the Duke denied having slept withVirginia Giuffre, who had accused him of abusing her since she was 17. He also refuted her claim that he was sweating profusely the night of the alleged assault, saying it is impossible because he “cannot sweat.” The infamous interview, conducted byEmily Maitlis, is widely perceived as a remarkable feat for the program and an ill-advised move by Prince Andrew, who has largely disappeared from public life since the interview.
The film is adapted fromScoops: Behind the Scenes of the BBC’s Most Shocking InterviewsbySam McAlister, a former Newsnight producer, which gives insider information on how some of the broadcaster’s most famous interviews. The book was optioned shortly after it was announced by producerHilary Salmon, who launched The Lighthouse Film & TV production company two years ago withRadford NevilleandNick Betts. Moffat is writing the screenplay for The Lighthouse Film & TV production company along with the British indie Voltage TV. Salmon and Moffat have worked together previously onUndercover,Silk,CriminalJusticeand AMC show61stStreet, starringCourtney B. Vance,Aunjanue Ellis,andTosin Cole, which just completed its second season.
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Grant most recently played a wealthy doctor accused of murdering his young lover in the HBO original seriesThe Undoingas well asJeremy Thorpe, the Liberal party leader who allegedly hired a hitman to kill his former boyfriend in the British comedy-dramaA Very English Scandal. He also plays Phoenix Buchanan, the deluded actor turned villain inPaddington 2as well as the nefarious private investigator Fletcher inThe Gentlemen. The well-known actor is an active critic of the tabloids and Murdoch press on Twitter. He most recently called for the protestors gathered outside Downing Street waiting for the resignation ofBoris Johnsonas Prime Minister toplay the theme musicfromThe Benny Hill Show.
