It was only a matter of time until coronavirus received the TV drama treatment and while we may still be in the midst of the pandemic, Sky Atlantic has announced the upcoming series This England – previously titled This Sceptred Isle – a dramatisation of COVID-19’s impact on the UK.
Starring Kenneth Branagh in frighteningly realistic prosthetics as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the five-parter is set to look at the government’s response to the pandemic’s first wave based on testimonials from scientists, and politicians, civil servants and doctors.
Here’s everything we know so far about This Sceptred Isle and when it will be arriving on our screens.
This England release date speculation
This England is expected to arrive on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in Autumn 2022.
The drama, starring Kenneth Branagh as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, doesn’t have an official release date yet, but we’ll keep this page updated when Sky announces more information.
What is This England about?
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Sky Atlantic’s upcoming drama is set to look at the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, the impact of the first wave on the country and the government’s response to the crucial work in hospitals and care homes.
The five-part series will follow Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he leads the country during unprecedented times and the scientists, doctors and nurses as they studied and tried to contain the virus.
Written by The Trip’s Michael Winterbottom, and Defending the Guilty’s Kieron Quirke, This England is based on first-hand testimonies from individuals from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and other public bodies.
The Sunday Times political editor Tim Shipman serves as a consultant on the series, which weaves together “countless true stories from Boris Johnson in Number 10 to front line workers around the country,” according to Winterbottom.
The official synopsis reads: “This England, based on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first months as Prime Minister, traces the impact on the country of the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. The drama takes us inside the halls of power, as Johnson (Branagh) grapples with Covid-19, Brexit, and a controversial personal and political life.
“The events in government are interwoven with stories from around the country, from the experts and scientists racing against time to understand the virus; the doctors, nurses and care-home workers on the frontline working tirelessly and heroically to contain and overcome it; and ordinary people whose lives were thrown into turmoil.”
This England cast
The following cast members have been confirmed for Sky Original drama This England.
- Sir Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson
- Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Symonds (later Johnson)
- Tom Buchan as Matt Hancock
- Tim Goodman as Stanley Johnson
- Alec Nicholls as Sir Patrick Vallance
- James Corrigan as Isaac Levido
- Rachel Sophia-Anthony as Lola Aldenjana
- Simon Kunz as Andrew Mills
- Simon Paisley Day as Dominic Cummings
A number of actors have been cast in the series, with images already having been released of Branagh in makeup and costume as the Prime Minister.
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Meanwhile, Elementary actress Ophelia Lovibond takes on the role of Johnson’s spouse, Carrie Symonds, and features in some of the first-look photos.
Finally, Broadchurch star Tom Buchan has been cast in the role of Health Minister Matt Hancock in the drama.
This England trailer
A full trailer has been released for the Sky drama series This England.
The clip teases the examination of events inside Number 10 Downing Street and shows off Branagh as Boris Johnson in the series.
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