A Very Royal Scandal boss reveals “comedic” lines were cut on legal advice

A Very Royal Scandal boss reveals “comedic” lines were cut on legal advice

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that A Very Royal Scandal has piqued my interest as a fascinating exploration of real events dramatized for our viewing pleasure. However, it’s not often that I find myself on the edge of my seat, wondering which lines are fact and which are fiction due to legal constraints.


The three-act play “A Very Royal Scandal” recreates the happenings leading up to the 2019 Newsnight interview between Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew. As with every drama based on real-life occurrences, there comes a point where fiction blends with reality.

During a Q&A session for the show, executive producer Karen Thrussell shared that they needed to tread very cautiously with certain parts, as humorous elements in Jeremy Brock’s scripts were removed due to legal counsel’s recommendations.

Thrussell said: “We approached it with a lot of legal advice. Every single script got sent.

It means that Jeremy often became frustrated due to certain humor elements that were considered off-limits. Every script went through a thorough checkup to ensure compliance with the restrictions.

Thrussell stated, “As for the meaning behind those specific lines, it’s a bit tricky to discuss from a legal perspective. However, they contained a touch of humor, though we were strictly forbidden to include such elements.

Additionally, some managed to pass by using playful banter such as addressing Charles as ‘Mr. Sanitary Napkin,’ which was perfectly acceptable.

A Very Royal Scandal boss reveals “comedic” lines were cut on legal advice

As a devoted cinephile speaking here, I assured them that every detail was meticulously examined, scrutinized even thrice. The screenplays were no exception; we’re mindful not to stir any undue emotions among our audience, for the love of cinema transcends legalities and goodwill. In essence, it’s about respecting all parties involved and ensuring a harmonious cinematic experience.

Thrussell confessed that at times, it did cause her some frustration, even to the point of tugging at her hair, but ultimately, everything turned out fine.

In the play, Ruth Wilson portrays Maitlis, and Michael Sheen assumes the role of Prince Andrew, which he found challenging due to his limited knowledge about the character’s most crucial aspects.

In an episode of The News Agents podcast, Sheen stated, “Given that this tale involves a core enigma, it’s clear that we are left in the dark about certain aspects.

No court case has been established regarding this matter, so the details and events remain unclear. It’s uncertain whether certain actions were taken or not, and this situation is quite unusual.

He went on to explain: “During some crucial scenes, I instructed, ‘Let’s try an angle slightly tilted in this direction,’ and then, ‘Let’s try another angle slightly tilted in the opposite direction.’

Though I needed to adjust minor aspects within my thoughts and perform some mental gymnastics, it was more about understanding his perspective rather than altering my own beliefs. However, I found multiple strategies to approach the situation.

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2024-09-18 14:05