Branagh to play Boris in Covid drama
HE HAS thrilled audiences with portrayals as diverse as Prince Hamlet and Hercule Poirot.
But now Kenneth Branagh is set to take on perhaps his most challenging character part yet.
The 60-year-old is to play Boris Johnson in a highly controversial five-part TV drama about Britain’s year-long battle with the coronavirus pandemic.
The series, This Sceptred Isle, will depict the British prime minister’s 11-year-old love child Stephanie, who he fathered in 2009.
It was announced yesterday that five-time Academy Award nominee Branagh would be taking the lead in the drama, which will be aired on Sky Atlantic next year.
Casting for Mr Johnson’s fiancée Carrie Symonds is ongoing and it is understood that a decision has yet to be made.
Director Michael Winterbottom (a Labour supporter) has co-written the series with Kieron Quirke and will direct all five episodes.
Mr Winterbottom said: ‘Our series weaves together countless true stories – from Boris Johnson in No.10 to frontline workers around the country – chronicling the efforts of scientists, doctors, care home workers and policy makers to protect us from the virus.’
Despite sharing more detail about his series, he refrained from admitting that Stephanie, who has been able to live her life away from the limelight, will feature.
Stephanie is Mr Johnson’s daughter with his former mistress Helen MacIntyre, who is also portrayed in the drama.