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Michael Sheen looks unrecognisable as Prince Andrew in first look at Amazon's A Very Royal Scandal - as streaming giant reveals how it plans to revive public's interest after Netflix drama Scoop
Amazon is set to retell the story of Prince Andrew's 'car crash' interview in a new series starring Michael Sheen as the Duke of York and Ruth Wilson as journalist Emily Maitlis.
The three part series A Very Royal Scandal is not set to be released until October - six months after rival streaming platform Netflix's version, which was out on April 5.
Both dramas recreate one of the most astounding interviews in television history when Prince Andrew spoke out about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and claimed he did not sweat.
Netflix's Scoop was based on a book of the same name by Sam McAlister and follows the BBC producer, played by Billie Pipers, as she fights to secure an interview with Prince Andrew, played by Rufus Sewell, at Buckingham Palace.
Gillian Anderson plays Emily Maitlis as she pointedly questions the Duke.
The upcoming series by Amazon MGM Studios stars Ruth Wilson as Emily Maitlis and Michael Sheen as Prince Andrew
Actor Michael Sheen pictured as Prince Andrew for A Very Royal Scandal
Michael Sheen is set to star as Prince Andrew in the Amazon version. Pictured: March 2024
Gillian Anderson plays Emily Maitlis in Netflix's Scoop as she pointedly questions the Duke, played by Rufus Sewell
Ruth Wilson (left) plays Newsnight journalist Emily Maitlis in Amazon's A Very Royal Scandal while Gillian Anderson (right) taking on the same role in Netflix's Scoop
But the upcoming series by Amazon MGM Studios will focus far more on Emily Maitlis - who serves as an executive producer.
A spokesperson for Amazon confirmed the series will 'follow Emily Maitlis' professional and personal journey as a Newsnight journalist, leading up to her acclaimed interview with Prince Andrew.'
When Scoop was released, Amazon bosses were reportedly in 'crisis talks' over their series, desperately trying to come up with ideas to promote it as they feared the public would have lost interest in the story by October.
It is now understood that A Very Royal Scandal may even take to the stage in order to set itself apart from the version by Netflix, as stars Michael Sheen and Ruth Wilson both have West End experience.
According to The Sun, a source said: 'The irony is that this is essentially a story about two successful, independent women working together and landing a massive story — one with global reach. By rights, they should be one another’s biggest champions.
'But each feels as if their part has been under-sold by the other, and there is huge tension there.
'Obviously they now have two films out about the same topic on rival streamers, and both want their own to be a hit.'
Speaking of the rivalry between the Netflix and Amazon projects, Maitlis, 53, told Deadline: 'I think that probably is overplayed, overstated. This [the Amazon series] will be a very different beast. I’m sure there’s room for both.'
The upcoming series by Amazon MGM Studios will focus far more on Emily Maitlis, pictured here at The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2024
Both dramas recreate one of the most astounding interviews in television history when Prince Andrew (pictured left with Emily Maitlis) spoke out about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and claimed he did not sweat. The infamous interview was recreated by Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell in Netflix's Scoop (right)
Ruth Wilson (pictured left) will play Emily Maitlis and Michael Sheen (pictured right) will play Prince Andrew in Amazon's A Very Royal Scandal
The former BBC presenter added that she left the team behind Scoop 'to do their own thing because I think the last thing they want is me peeking around the edges.
'It says its based on a fictional account, so I think it goes into different places and it does different things [to the Amazon series].'
Netflix issued a disclaimer at the start of Scoop that said: 'This film is based on real events - however certain elements have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes.'