A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL
STARRING: Hugh Grant
In the 1960s and ’70s, upper-crust British MP Jeremy Thorpe is on a steady upward trajectory to the highest positions of power. The large-looming skeleton in his closet? Homosexuality, which was decriminalised in the UK in 1967. A past dalliance with naive Norman Scott (né Josiffe, played by Ben Whishaw) becomes a problem when Thorpe, who has since married and fathered a child to further his career, is reluctant to fulfil his erstwhile promises to procure his ex-lover a National Insurance card – necessary for employment – for fear of association with him. But Scott wants his due and is prepared to out Thorpe to set matters right. That is when the politician gets murder on his mind and his flawed Machiavellian attempts to do away with Scott is the premise of this surprisingly entertaining three-parter.
Based on a true story, the BBC adaptation of John Preston’s 2016 book – like its political protagonist – features the very best of pedigrees. The miniseries is written by Russell T. Davies ( Doctor Who) and directed by Stephen Frears ( My Beautiful Laundrette). And although the storyline may sound serious, Scandal, by its nature, is a right romp. (Starts Thurs., Sept. 20, 8.30pm; BBC First)