Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Season 1 – A Very Royal Scandal

2024 Drama TRAILER for List
83% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Following `Newsnight' journalist Emily Maitlis' journey leading up to her interview with Prince Andrew.
Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

Where to Watch

A Very Royal Scandal — Season 1

A Very Royal Scandal — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A Very Royal Scandal may be dredging up a disgrace that's already been dramatized before, but superb performances from Michael Sheen and Ruth Wilson make this another juicy bite from the rotted apple.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (29) Critics Reviews
Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen... are very good together, but there’s little that’s surprising in the way their individual characters are portrayed or their places in the systems built around them. Sep 27, 2024 Full Review Camilla Long Times (UK) A script that’s fantastic but does, at times, sound as if there must have been a lawyer hovering over every section, saying, “No, all he can say here is, I have no recollection of meeting that woman,” but then allowing a huge flashback in which he does. Sep 25, 2024 Full Review Nick Hilton Independent (UK) This enlightenment comes too late to give A Very Royal Scandal any moral credibility. Instead, it is a well-acted, well-written peek behind the scenes of newsgathering. Rated: 3/5 Sep 20, 2024 Full Review James Croot Stuff.co.nz While boasting two of the UK top acting talents, something just feels slightly off. Whether it’s Wilson’s accent or Sheen’s look, they never feel like they inhabit the characters in the way that Rufus Sewell and Gillian Anderson did in Scoop. Oct 9, 2024 Full Review Neely Swanson Beverly Hills Courier Director Julian Jarrold propels this story through three fascinating episodes, letting the story arrive at its conclusion by emphasizing what Andrew didn’t do, rather than what he did. Watch “A Very Royal Scandal” even if you’ve already seen “Scoop.” Sep 28, 2024 Full Review Weiting Liu Common Sense Media With Maitlis herself in the writers' room, A Very Royal Scandal retells the event with authenticity and treats survivors (particularly Virginia Giuffre) of Epstein's sex trafficking with empathy and respect. Rated: 3/5 Sep 26, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Jennifer A Incredible performances, had me truly engaged until the last moment! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/04/24 Full Review Requiem L Would give it less if I could. The portrayals of the real-life counterparts in this film are utter trash. Even Michael Sheen who can normally be relied upon to put on a captivating performance falls short. The antagonist and protagonist roles are reversed, and I don't know whether that is down to the terrible writing (which is dreadful) or the questionable choices of the actors to portray them that way. Michael Sheen comes off as a leaf blown about in a turbulent storm against the will of the press and the public perception and Ruth Wilson's Emily Mathis comes across as a desperate, facing the premature end of her career reporter trying to get a national scoop where there is none. Saying nothing of her fake voice trying to make it a British Plum accent, which is so jarring the viewer is reminded of a 14 year old boy putting on his man voice when every one of his peers' voice has broken. 3 hours plus were a slog. The very questionable directing, writing and acting make this probably the worst factual drama series I have had the displeasure of watching. You are not supposed to make Prince Andrew sympathetic in this story and you are not supposed to portray the interviewer as the villain. You have failed as filmmakers. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review Neil T Loved it. Ruth Wilson and Michael Sheen were fantastic and were surrounded by an excellent cast, including a superb Alex Jennings. I love the way he summarized the insularity of the royals. Michael Sheen managed to humanize Prince Andrew, without making him an overly sympathetic character. He is portrayed as a grown-up, spoiled brat and one without a clue. And I found Ruth Wilson‘s performance to be awesome. From a frustrated rather Discombobulated person in the opening shot, once she sits on her porcelain throne, a transformation takes place as her rehearsal begins with her Basso intonation “your Royal highness…” Great stuff. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Travis M As fantastic a performer Michael Sheen is, he never quite nails the undeniable smugness of Prince Andrew - most notably during the interview. I'd call it either miscasting or bad direction. Ruth Wilson and the rest of the production make this worth a watch however. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review Louis M Despite Ruth Wilson's standout, spot-on portrayal of Emily Maitlis, this production adds little to an already overly dissected topic. While the subject matter is undeniably serious, the show hesitates to explore any fresh or deeper perspectives, staying firmly within the bounds of what's already well-known and well-trodden. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews
A Very Royal Scandal — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Prince Andrew, embroiled in scandal, risks the monarchy's reputation; Emily Maitlis pursues an interview to reveal the truth. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Obstacles arise before Emily Maitlis' anticipated `Newsnight' interview with Prince Andrew; once underway, the high-profile meeting takes unexpected turns for Maitlis and her team. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 19, 2024 Shockwaves ripple globally after the interview; Prince Andrew faces personal, familial and institutional fallout; Emily weighs her reputation and career amid the pandemic's onset. Details

Season Info

Director
Julian Jarrold
Screenwriter
Jeremy Brock
Network
Prime Video
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
Sep 19, 2024