Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson are “deeply disappointed” by the portrayal of their family in a new series about the Duke of York’s career-ending interview.
The Amazon series, which dropped yesterday, stars Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew and will focus on his infamous 2019 interview surrounding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
A Very Royal Scandal will serialise the 64-year-old’s infamous Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis, who will be played by Ruth Wilson, over allegations regarding his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre. Maitlis is also producing the series.
The three-part series follows both Andrew and Maitlis in the leadup to the interview, the sit-down itself, and the fallout which changed both of their lives.
Prince Andrew and Fergie 'disappointed' by Beatrice and Eugenie's portrayal in new seriesPA/GettyPrince Andrew was reportedly so excited to watch the series, that he hosted a viewing party last night in Royal Lodge.
However, it appears following its release, that excitement has turned to dismay, with the family raising eyebrows at some of its portrayals.
A source told The Daily Express: “Andrew and Sarah are deeply disappointed by the entire family's portrayal in the series.
“Recollections may vary is an understatement to describe what has been portrayed from behind the scenes of the interview,” the source said, referring to a phrase the late Queen said following claims made by the Sussexes about the Royal Family in their Oprah interview.
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Prince Andrew are not pleased with the portrayal of Beatrice and Eugenie
PAThe source continued: “There are some instances where there hasn't been a fair representation of what actually happened while other scenarios don't ring any bells at all.”
In the series, Fergie has been portrayed as a “thin-skinned lush” by author Alexander Larman, writing in The Spectator.
He said that Andrew is portrayed as “actively bad”, in comparison to Rufus Sewell in Scoop, who characterised the duke as a “privileged imbecile who was easily led astray by those around him”.
Meanwhile, Beatrice and Eugenie are “torn between their love for their father and their horror at the compromising situation that he has embroiled them all in”.
Michael Sheen, seen here playing Prince Andrew in A Very Royal ScandalAmazon Prime
Honor Swinton Byrne and Michael Sheen playing Beatrice and Andrew in the new seriesAmazon PrimeIn the now infamous November 2019 interview with the former BBC presenter, Andrew vigorously denied the allegations that he sexually assaulted Giuffre.
Giuffre brought a civil case against Andrew for sexual assault, and the 64-year-old later reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre. The settlement was not an admission of guilt and Andrew accepted no liability.
The new series is part of an anthology of limited seasons which include 2018's A Very English Scandal starring Hugh Grant and 2021's A Very British Scandal, about the infamous divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argylle, played by Paul Bettany and Claire Foy.