One of the most controversial figures in Britain is Conservative politician Boris Johnson. Having risen to prominence on a wave of clownish antics, prime-time appearances on comedy TV, and a succession of high-profile gaffes, Johnson became Mayor of London in 2008 and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 2019 -- just in time to preside over Brexit, the Covid pandemic, and the fallout from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Even before his resignation in the summer, director Michael Winterbottom and writer Kieran Quirke's drama This England was in the works, a five-part TV series charting the Covid-19 crisis due to premiere on Sky Atlantic later this month. With Johnson having departed the stage following a mass resignation of his cabinet in the summer, the appearance of a new series dramatizing the most eventful weeks and months of an extremely contentious tenure in office is even more highly anticipated. Here's what to expect.
This England: The Plot
The big story of Boris Johnson's prime ministership was supposed to be the momentous decision to take the United Kingdom out of the European Union. However, less than six months into his time as Prime Minister, the Brexit issue took a back seat to the chaos wrought by Covid. Johnson became notorious during his tenure as Mayor of London for showy stunts, a raft of sackings of underlings, and the purchase of water cannons for riot control that were never used. He was not one to pay close attention to the fine details of the medical advice given by British health experts.
While the National Health Service was busy in February and March 2020, informing the British populace of the importance of washing hands regularly and avoiding physical contact, Johnson continued to shake hands with all and sundry during public engagements. Six weeks later, he was seriously ill with Covid.
It got worse. Starting in late 2020, a series of social events were held at the traditional residence of the British Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, which various members of Johnson's Conservative government attended. At a time when strict lockdowns were in place across much of the United Kingdom, and even the Queen was required to mourn the death of her husband Philip on her own due to social distancing rules, it was a seeming admission that Johnson and his allies felt themselves to be above the law. And above decency, as stories of drunken brawls and insults directed at cleaning staff emerged.
Over 80 people were fined, including Johnson himself, and "Partygate," as it was called, had a significant impact on levels of trust in Johnson's government, with a majority of voters calling for Johnson to resign in subsequent polls. The mixture of scandal and sorrow lends itself to a dramatic treatment that Winterbottom and Quirke have spent much of the last two years crafting.
This England: The Cast
Kenneth Branagh is no stranger to playing public figures. His masterly portrayal of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton earned him Primetime Emmy and BAFTA nominations in 2002, and his work as Laurence Olivier opposite Michelle Williams in 2011's My Week With Marilyn led to a fifth Academy Award nomination.
However, there is a big difference between playing historical figures that have receded from popular memory and politicians that are still very much in the public eye. Playing someone as well-known and as idiosyncratic in their demeanor as Boris Johnson is an especially difficult proposition. Branagh's natural aptitude for playing upper-class types like Johnson -- early trailers show the Shakespearean actor bearing an uncanny resemblance to the habitually shambolic Oxford graduate -- lends the production a dose of authenticity. From his mimicking of Johnson's awkward body language to his rambling answers to journalists' questions, Branagh is utterly believable as the former Prime Minister.
Starring opposite Branagh is Ophelia Lovibond, best known to Marvel Cinematic Universe aficionados as Carina in Guardians of the Galaxy, but most recently seen in HBO Max's comedy series Minx, which was renewed for a second season in May. Andrew Buchan (All The Money In The World, The Spanish Princess) plays Johnson's secretary for health Matt Hancock. At the same time, Simon Paisley Day (Doctor Who, The Crown) appears as Johnson's right-hand man and fixer, Dominic Cummings, whose abrupt resignation in November 2020 allowed him to launch a series of devastating attacks on the Johnson government's handling of the pandemic afterward.
Release Date
This England was due to premiere in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Sky Atlantic and Sky's Now streaming service on September 21, 2022, but the release date was pushed back to September 28, 2022, as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth earlier this month. A North American release date has yet to be announced.