Filming begins for Prince Andrew Netflix series ‘Scoop’ featuring Gillian Anderson as Duke celebrates birthday

While many will crave a slice of cake or a glass of bubbly on their birthday, Prince Andrew will be treated to the news that filming has begun on a Netflix show centred around his infamous Newsnight interview.

Filming for ‘Scoop’ gets underway this month, with the plot set to be based on chapters from former BBC producer Sam McAlister’s memoir, in which she explains how the explosive interview was secured.

Prince Andrew, who turns 63 today, spoke to Emily Maitlis about his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, hoping to dispel the increasing scrutiny however, the interview ended up being branded ‘disastrous’ and ‘excruciating’.

Following the interview, the duke stepped away from public life, and in return people will be able to relive the damning Newsnight programme on the streaming service.

At the helm of the royal project is The Crown’s Emmy and BAFTA-winning director Philip Martin who said: “I want to put the audience inside the breath-taking sequence of events that led to the interview with Prince Andrew - to tell a story about a search for answers, in a world of speculation and varying recollections.

"It's a film about power, privilege and differing perspectives and how - whether in glittering palaces or hi-tech newsrooms - we judge what's true."

So, as filming gets underway in February, PeopleWorld looks at who is set to star as the Prince and the other key members of the interview:

Taking on the role of Prince Andrew is Rufus Sewell, known from A Knight’s Tale and The Man in the High Castle.

While Rufus brings Andrew out of the ‘high castle’ or Buckingham Palace, he will chat to Sex Education and X Files star Gillian Anderson who has been cast as the journalist and presenter Emily Maitlis.

Scoop spotlights the ‘journalists whose tenacity and guts broke through the highest of ceilings’ to secure the interview of the decade, namely Sam McAlister who will be portrayed by Billie Piper.

When Billie was cast, McAlister responded to the news saying it was a ‘pinch me moment’ as the Doctor Who actress is one of McAlister’s favourites.

To complete the small cast list is Keeley Hawes whose credits include Bodyguard and the Durrell's, as she takes on the part of the prince’s private secretary Amanda Thirsk.

As filming has just begun on Scoop, it is predicted to land on Netflix sometime in 2024.