ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL
NETFLIX, FROM 15 APRIL
At first glance, the Whitehouses look like they are living the dream. With a strong marriage, two children they adore, and a magnificent house, wealth and privilege have come naturally to the former university sweethearts. For glamorous Sophie (Sienna Miller), her family is her world, and she’s head-over-heels for her charismatic husband James (Rupert Friend), an ambitious and seemingly well-liked government minister. Due to James’ success, their marriage is thrust into the public eye and their relationship is the envy of many. But, as we soon find out, their charmed life is merely a façade – and it’s about to come crumbling down when James is accused of sexual assault. In a role completely different to her Downton Abbey character, Lady Mary Crawley, Michelle Dockery showcases her versatility as barrister Kate Woodcroft, who specialises in prosecuting sexual crimes. As Kate is handed the case of a lifetime, her work threatens to cause uproar at the heart of Westminster and rip apart both James’ career and his marriage. The stakes are high – and it could be Kate’s big break. Based on the best-selling novel by Sarah Vaughan, Netflix’s latest adaptation is yet another binge-worthy series, and with just six episodes, it won’t take you long to speed through it. Casting a magnifying glass on Britain’s elite through a personal and political scandal, this slick part-psychological thriller, part-gripping courtroom drama is certainly topical. As James and Sophie are set to find out, the higher your status in society, the further you have to fall. And, as there’s something darker and more sinister at play than first meets the eye, the outcome will have far-reaching consequences for all those involved. A captivating watch with plenty of twists and turns.