'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."

'Moonflower Murders' Reviews: "Fans of British old-school mysteries who enjoy a smattering of eyebrow raising material will want to cozy up with this second investigative romp based on author Anthony Horowitz’s engaging Agatha Christie-esque series"

         On September 15, 2024, PBS premiered 'Moonflower Murders', which has received predominantly positive reviews from critics. In the series, "Editor Susan Ryeland is tasked with finding the solution to a real-life cold case hidden within one of Alan Conway's early Atticus Pünd novels." The ensemble cast includes Lesley Manville, Daniel Mays, Timothy McMullan, Conleth Hill, and Claire Rushbrook. But what did the critics say?

         Moira Macdonald of The Seattle Times notes, "Moonflower Murders” — newly arriving on PBS starting Sept. 15 — is great fun. Scripted, as was “Magpie Murders,” by Horowitz (whose many credits, on page and screen, include “Foyle’s War”), it unfolds as two mysteries in one. Susan, who’s given up editing due to the events of “Magpie Murders” (go read and/or watch it immediately, before watching this show), is trying to run a hotel in Crete with her partner Andreas (Alexandros Logothetis), but gets pulled back home when a couple asks for her help in examining a novel by the late mystery author Alan Conway for clues to a recent murder at their British country inn. That novel, “Atticus Pünd Takes the Case,” set in the 1950s and involving the murder of a movie star in her English country home, provides the second plotline. We hop in and out from period film to present day, watching as the stories intertwine."

Photo by Roxxie Blackham on Unsplash

        Randy Myers of San Jose Mercury News writes, "Fans of British old-school mysteries who enjoy a smattering of eyebrow raising material will want to cozy up with this second investigative romp based on author Anthony Horowitz’s engaging Agatha Christie-esque series. The Masterpiece PBS sequel mashes up, as it did with  the first outing, “The Magpie Murders,” two tales of murder. The mystery is stuffed with clues involving a recent murder that late author Alan Conway created for his ace detective Atticus Pünd (Timothy McMullan) to sleuth through. The other is tied to a case yet to be solved by that snoop and former book editor Susan Ryeland (the divine Lesley Manville). True to form, both the “fictional” murder — the killing of a diva actress — and the present-day one involving a hotel worker leads Susan to leave Crete and come back to England as she tries to puzzle out how the book and her investigation interconnect. The actors enlisted to play the lengthy list of suspects are a treat. “Moonflower Murders” is pure comfort food for the mystery lover, and holds true to the Christie spirit. Details: 3 stars; first episode airs Sept. 15 on PBS."

        John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal says, "It is actually far easier to watch this first-rate “Masterpiece” mystery than to map it out: Like its predecessor, 2022’s “Magpie Murders,” this adaptation of Anthony Horowitz’s second Ryeland novel offers parallel plotlines—Susan on one track, Atticus on another—with various performers playing vaguely corresponding characters in each. Other than Ms. Manville and Mr. McMullan, few actors here have only one part. (Another is the winning Pippa Bennett-Warner as Madeline, Pünd’s savvy new assistant.) A listing of the dramatis personae would be as illuminating as, oh, a family tree of the crowned heads of Europe. One needs to catch up with Susan first."