'A Very Royal Scandal' Reviews: "A Very Royal Scandal does Andrew no favours" as "Michael Sheen is able to embody his characters is a masterclass in acting"

         On September 19, 2024, Prime Video released 'A Very Royal Scandal', which has earned predominantly positive reviews from critics, currently holding at 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the limited series, Following journalist Emily Maitlis' jounrey to the infamous  journey leading up to her interview with Prince Andrew is examined. The ensemble cast includes Michael Sheen, Ruth Wilson, Claire Rushbrook, and Eanna Hardwicke. Read the full review round-up below.

       Anne Brodie of What She Said notes, "It wasn’t that long ago that Netflix released Scoop on the same topic – one night, one interview, shockwaves, etc. …Prime focuses on the landmark event from the points of view of BBC reporterEmily Maitlis, who served as an executive producer, and Netflix on a BBC booker who put everything out there to get the interview; she’s almost invisible in Prime’s version.  Another significant difference in Prime’s series is its depiction of Andrew’s close, loving and fun-filled relationships with his daughters and ex-wife Fergie.  Andrew is shown as deeply spoiled, having lived a Royal “frictionless life”, foul-mouthed, disdainful and thoroughly unlikeable.  His advisors bear the brunt of his constant anger and fear and refuses their advice not to do the interview.  His alleged victim Virginia Giuffre had come forward as an adult to tell her story with photos proving she’d been with the Prince; she claims they’d slept together on three occasions, all via his friendship with Epstein.  She was on a media tour, so he felt he had to fight back to defend himself.  A Very Royal Scandal does Andrew no favours – nor did Scoop – and scenes of Andrew and his friends gleefully killing 336 birds on a weekend shoot are awful, shot to emphasize the violent reality.  Not sure I’d watch if not to review because of the subject matter and Andrew’s deficient (seen here at least) character."

Photo by Megan Watson on Unsplash

        Romey Norton of Film Focus Online says, "The story is simple and offers more about what went on behind the scenes in the lead-up to the interview, rather than just re-enacting the event. The way Michael Sheen is able to embody his characters is a masterclass in acting."

       Kieran Burt of Ready Steady Cut writes, "The three episodes offer a broad look at the build up to the interview, the interview itself and the firestorm that followed, and let viewers get engrossed in what’s happening. While the show is based on the events themselves and not anything else, it offers a sense of authenticity, as Emily Maitlis herself is an executive producer. Maitlis’ perspective gets shown in-depth, allowing audiences in on the life of the journalist that managed to bring down a Royal. Amazon’s version of the infamous Prince Andrew interview is split into three parts, with the first episode dealing with the build-up and preparation of the interview, the second part showing the interview being filmed, and the third part showing the immense fallout that occurred for Prince Andrew but also Maitlis, which isn’t something that’s typically given much thought."

       Dan Einav of Financial Times praises the drama, stating, "While some scenes play out almost exactly as before... a shift in focus from Newsnight guest booker Sam McAlister to Maitlis herself here gives a richer sense of being in the extraordinary position of having the power to challenge a prince."