'This England' teaser: Watch Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson at your own peril | Mashable

'This England' teaser: Watch Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson at your own peril

Do we have to?
A man in a suit and tie stands at a podium in front of a row of press, outside a black door with the number 10 on it.

We've got good news and we've got bad news.

The good news is that Oscar-winning actor Kenneth Branagh has a meaty new TV role to sink his teeth into, a drama directed by no less than 24 Hour Party People's Michael Winterbottom.

The bad news? He's playing soon-to-be-former prime minster Boris Johnson, and the whole show takes place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That's right: With the misery of two years of coronavirus quarantines only just starting to fade, you could get to relive it all again, from the prime minister being fined for breaching his own lockdown rules to the many PPE contracts mysteriously won by close associates of the Conservative Party.

Is it too soon to enjoy a drama that takes place during two very terrible, very recent years, and which sees Branagh-as-Johnson spouting out Richard II lines? Only time will tell. But based on how many territories the show has already sold to, it looks like the networks, at least, are looking forward to it.

This England is coming to Sky Atlantic on Sept. 23.

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.


Latest Videos
'Cora Bora' trailer teases a chaotic cringe comedy
Three women sit in the backseat of a car, laughing. The one in the middle has a small dog on her lap.

'Black Twitter: A People’s History' trailer chronicles the heart of the internet
Nine different interviews shown in one frame for "'Black Twitter: A People’s History"



What die hard Sonic fans can expect from 'Knuckles'
Idris Elba of 'Knuckles'

Watch Ryan Gosling do carpool karaoke — with a stuntman twist
Three men in Letterman jackets that say "The Fall Guy" driving in a car.

'Jim Henson Idea Man' trailer: Meet the man behind the Muppets
Jim Henson puppeteering Kermit.

'The Big Cigar' trailer follows Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton's escape to Cuba
André Holland as Huey P. Newton.

This robot dog is capable of picking itself up whenever it falls
By Warren Shaw
AI Robot Doc


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!