Kenneth Branagh, the Oscar-winning actor and director Bafta, famous for his monumental film adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, takes on one of his most important roles: that of Boris Johnson.
Very blond hair, gestures, build, Branagh has perfectly cast himself in the role of the former British premier in 'This England', the miniseries co-scripted and directed by Michael Winterbottom that will tell the impact that the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic had on the UK, taking viewers through the corridors of power, with Johnson struggling with Covid-19, Brexit and a controversial political and personal life.
The series was supposed to start on September 23, but the death of what appeared to be the immortal monarch, her majesty Queen Elizabeth II,
caused it to be postponed: it will arrive on Sky and stream on Now from 30 September.
Produced by Michael Winterbottom's Revolution Films and Richard Brown's Passenger, the series (originally known as The Sceptred Isle) reconstructs the thorniest and most complicated period of the then prime minister's career, the pandemic that revolutionized our lives for at least two years.
The show boasts a prestigious cast - starting with the unrecognizable Branagh, equipped with prosthetics that make him look perfectly identical, virtually indistinguishable, from the original - and is part of a large series of British-made political TV productions. , such as State of Play, The Politician's Husband or State Within.
Branagh is joined by Ophelia Lovibond as Johnson's wife Carrie Symonds.
Government events intertwine with stories from across the country, of experts and scientists racing against time to understand the virus, of doctors, nurses and nursing home workers, who work tirelessly and heroically to contain it and defeat him, and ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down.
We will see the same former premier when he is hospitalized in intensive care, affected by Covid.
Other burning arguments are the consequences of the promises on Brexit made by the prime minister in the aftermath of the referendum which, stunned the world and a large part of the British population itself, decreed the will of citizens to leave the European Union.
And again the relationship between Johnson and his latest partner, Carrie Symonds, where she found herself alone at the mercy of the tabloid while her partner was sucked into the issues related to Covid and she was facing a pregnancy.
"The first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic - underlined the acclaimed director Winterbottom - will be remembered forever. A moment in which the country united to fight an invisible enemy. A moment in which people were more aware than ever before. importance of the community ".
To then remark: "Who else could play this role? I hope Boris is flattered that we cast Kenneth Branagh to play him. Our series weaves countless true stories - from Boris Johnson, to frontline workers across the country - telling the efforts of scientists, doctors,
