Advertisement

Boris Johnson's handling of the coronavirus pandemic is being dramatised for TV

FILE - In this Sunday March 22, 2020 file photo British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during his daily COVID 19 coronavirus press briefing to announce new measures to limit the spread of the virus, at Downing Street in London.  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to a hospital with the coronavirus. Johnson’s office says he is being admitted for tests because he still has symptoms 10 days after testing positive for the virus.  (Ian Vogler / Pool via AP, File)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during his daily COVID 19 coronavirus press briefing. (Ian Vogler / Pool via AP, File)

Director Michael Winterbottom is to explore Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic in a new drama series.

The Bafta-winning filmmaker, whose credits include Greed and 24 Hour Party People, will co-write and direct, while Tim Shipman, the political editor of The Sunday Times, will act as a consultant.

The series will follow the real-life drama as Mr Johnson faces “the biggest national and personal crisis to face a Government leader since World War Two”.

Starting with his appointment as Prime Minister, the story will recount the first Covid-19 cases in the UK, through to Mr Johnson falling ill with the virus, and the arrival of his son.

The project’s name and casting details are yet to be announced.

Director Michael Winterbottom attends the premiere of "Trishna" during the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 27, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Director Michael Winterbottom attends the premiere of "Trishna" during the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 27, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Global producer and distributor Fremantle has joined with Richard Brown from Passenger and Melissa Parmenter from Revolution Films, who will serve as executive producers.

Read more: Watch a clip from Michael Winterbottom’s Greed

Brown, whose work includes True Detective and Catch-22, said: “Michael Winterbottom is the ideal filmmaker to tell the story of the extraordinary events surrounding Boris Johnson’s new government and the Covid-19 pandemic, which has captured the attention of the world.

“We’re excited to join forces with Michael and Revolution Films on this project, a story which appears to demonstrate that fact is indeed sometimes stranger than fiction.”

April 5th 2020 - Boris Johnson has been admitted to the hospital after displaying symptoms of the coronavirus. - March 27th 2020 - Boris Johnson - Prime Minister of The United Kingdom - has tested positive for the coronavirus. - File Photo by: zz/KGC-03/STAR MAX/IPx 2020 3/9/20 Prime Minister of The United Kingdom Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds attend the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9, 2020 at Westminster Abbey. (London, England, UK)
Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds attend the Commonwealth Day Service on March 9, 2020 at Westminster Abbey. (AP)

Andrea Scrosati, global COO of Fremantle, said: “There are rare moments in history when leaders find their private lives uniquely connected to national events, where personal experience and official role collide in an unusual way.

“The last few months in the life of the UK Prime Minister clearly mark one of these moments.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news, advice and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter

“At Fremantle we are passionate about finding powerful and authentic stories and telling them with a fair and fact-based approach.

“Richard and Michael are the perfect creative team to bring this dramatic story to life, in a way that does justice to the true nature of the unbelievable events experienced by one of the world’s most high-profile leaders.”

Reporting by PA.