Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in ‘This Sceptred Isle’ – Deadline

Sky released a first image of Kenneth Branagh as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his upcoming Michael Winterbottom series This Sceptred Island.

Filming has started on the five-part series, which will premiere in fall 2022. The project first appeared last year as part of a deal between The trip director Winterbottom and Fremantle’s Passenger, directed by Real detective producer Richard Brown.

Produced by Fremantle, Passenger and Winterbottom’s Revolution Films, the series will chronicle events surrounding the British Prime Minister, the government and the country in the face of the first wave of the global coronavirus pandemic.

He will trace the impact on Britain and the response of scientists, nurses and medics as they strive to contain and defeat the virus. It is based on firsthand testimony from people including those at Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and hospitals and nursing homes across the country. .

Winterbottom co-wrote the series with Kieron Quirke and will direct all five episodes. He will also be an executive producer alongside Brown. Melissa Parmenter (Revolution Films) will produce alongside Josh Hyams and Anthony Wilcox. Tim Shipman, political editor of the Sunday Times, acts as a consultant.