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Labor director in controversial TV drama Boris Johnson’s first year at 10 Downing Street has moved away from the big-budget series.
Michael Winterbottom, who also wrote the script for the five-part series This Sceptred Isle, starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, has been replaced by Julian Jarold, whose credits include The Crown.
Understandably, his decision to resign “temporarily” was made last month, shortly after Sky Atlantic decided to offer the disclaimer before each episode, so viewers would know it was a work of fiction.
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Sky Atlantic, who bought the Revolution Films drama from Winterbottom, said last night that the director resigned due to health problems.
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The drama is said to cover Johnson becoming prime minister, his Covid-19 disease, the birth of a son Welph by Carrie Symonds, played by Ophelia Lovebond, and the government’s response to the pandemic.
Sources say there have been tensions between the production companies participating in the series since The Mail on Sunday revealed an inaccuracy in the filming setting.
Jarold, 60, a member of a storied Norfolk retail family, has already taken over filming at locations across the UK.
Sky Atlantic, who bought the Revolution Films drama from Winterbottom, said last night that the director resigned due to health problems.
Sources say there have been tensions between the production companies participating in the series since The Mail on Sunday revealed an inaccuracy in the filming setting. (Taken from the Sky TV drama, starring Kenneth Branagh, pictured as Prime Minister)
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She couldn’t determine if she would film again, but said she has kept the executive producer title and will be working from home.
A source said: ‘Michael co-wrote the script and his name will always be associated with him, but he has disappeared from the daily run. There are rumors on the site that he was part of a larger group of people who disagreed with Sky’s decision to show the disclaimer.
Jarrold’s previous work also includes the 2011 Fit Grown drama about Fred and Rose West.
Critics have suggested that Winterbottom’s leftist leanings from the 1960s could lead to the drama being politically biased. It is scheduled to be shown next year.
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