Hugh Grant To Return To British TV

A new drama has been commissioned by the BBC, featuring Hugh Grant.

A Very English Scandal will see Grant star as MP Jeremy Thorpe who was tried but acquitted of conspiring to murder his former lover Norman Scott.

Based on the book by author John Preston, the 3x60' drama has been commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content.

A Very English Scandal explores the true story of the first British politician to stand trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder. It is the late 1960s, homosexuality has only just been decriminalised, and Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the Liberal party, has a secret he is trying to hide. As long as his ex-lover Norman Scott is around, Thorpe's career is at risk. Thorpe schemes and deceives until he can see only one way to silence Scott for good.

Treadwell-Collins said: "Hugh is one our most iconic British actors – sharp, witty, deeply human and nuanced – and to have him play one of the most controversial figures of British politics is utterly thrilling. With Russell T Davies writing and Stephen Frears directing, A Very English Scandal unites the highest level of talent to bring this extraordinary true story to life."

Piers Wenger added: "Hugh Grant is an extraordinary actor and a worldwide star. I'm delighted that he is joining the BBC One family and I can't wait to see how he applies his unique talent bringing to life this mercurial role."

A Very English Scandal is written by Russell T Davies and directed by Stephen Frears, with Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin executive producers for Blueprint Television and Lucy Richer for the BBC. This will be the first production from Sony-backed Blueprint Television, which launched in June 2016. Headed by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Blueprint Television is sister company to Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin's Blueprint Pictures.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)