Two chairs positioned six feet apart in the south drawing room of Buckingham Palace.
“It's like a western!”, exclaims Emily Maitlis (played by Gillian Anderson) as she gears up with a trusty Bic pen and notepad on her lap, armed with her sharp wit, aiming for precision like never before.
Prince Andrew (portrayed by Rufus Sewell) seems to fire off rounds of defenses, but they bounce back and linger around his neck, haunting him endlessly.
The decision to put the Duke of York in the hot seat on Newsnight turned out to be a disastrous move for him.
His ramblings about not being able to sweat turned out to be a damning revelation.
How did it all spiral out of control? This is the question that Scoop delves into with meticulous detail, thanks to a brilliant script by Peter Moffat.
It all began with a photograph in 2010.
A snappy prologue depicted how the Prince was captured next to Jeffrey Epstein in Central Park, a convicted sex offender.
Despite efforts by Andrew's private secretary, Amanda Thirsk (played by Keeley Hawes) to salvage his image, the stain remained.
This led to a strategic move orchestrated between Thirsk, Newsnight booker Sam McAlister (portrayed by Billie Piper), setting the stage for the Prince to defend himself.
Scoop highlights the gravity of this moment for the BBC amidst financial constraints and constant scrutiny.
This wasn't just any regular interview; it involved grilling a royal about alleged misconduct.
Maitlis, under pressure, was tasked with cutting deep and leaving no room for escape.
Instead, she heeded McAlister's advice to ease into the topic before letting Andrew hang himself with his own words.
Beyond the sensational interview, the portrayal offers a captivating insight into the involved personalities.
Romola Garai as the programme’s editor, Esme Wren, is watchful and astute.
However, the standout is Piper as McAlister, a working-class single mother whose strategic prowess often gets overlooked.
Anderson effortlessly embodies Maitlis, showcasing her upper-class impersonation skills.
Sewell, with prosthetics enhancing his features, embodies Andrew’s arrogant charm flawlessly, pushing its boundaries convincingly.
The unfolding drama exposes layers of complexity, distinguishing it from other royal-themed productions.
Princess Beatrice’s presence during Andrew’s talk with Maitlis and McAlister adds an uncomfortable layer, reminiscent of a cringe-worthy moment.
The sight of Andrew hastily exiting his bath to face distressing news adds a raw and stark undertone to the narrative.
While the subject matter is serious, the storytelling infuses elements of absurdity reminiscent of a satirical comedy without crossing the line.
Director, Philip Martin, skillfully balances on the edge, leaving the audience gasping as the realization of the actual events sinks in, compelling them to witness the unraveling drama.
Currently available for streaming on Netflix.