It’s been a rough few years, let’s face it. But bad times can make for good drama, and before anyone can even cry “too soon!” we’re on the verge of getting a new five-part drama about the early days of Boris Johnson’s term as prime minister and his government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starring none other than Sir Kenneth Branagh as the now-former prime minister, This England will be airing on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW. Co-written by Michael Winterbottom (The Trip, 24 Hour Party People) and Kieron Quirke (Cuckoo), the series promises to take us into the both the halls of power and Johnson’s private life, detailing his tumultuous term of leadership. That means grappling not only with Covid, but also Brexit and the ex-Tory leader’s own tumultuous personal life.
Originally titled This Sceptered Isle (a title which would not be confused with Shane Meadows’ This is England, we must say) the series co-stars Ophelia Lovibond (Elementary) as Carrie Symonds, Johnson’s fiancée, with Simon Paisley Day (Brexit: The Uncivil War) as senior adviser Dominic Cummings and Andrew Buchan as former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock.
But all eyes will be on Branaghit. Never the most chameleonic of actors even when he’s hiding behind Hercule Poirot’s famous mustache, Branagh has nonetheless disappeared both into the role and behind some genuinely impressive hair and make up work to essay the role of the notoriously unkempt former Prime Minister.
The series promises to be as faithful to the known facts as possible, drawing on first-hand accounts from both Downing Street insiders and the various medical authorities, scientists, and first responders at the coalface of the Covid pandemic.
Could it be a little too grim for easy consumption? Best to ask a Chernobyl fan about that, or add This England to your watchlist and find out for yourself later this month.
