‘She was an unsung hero’: Billie Piper on playing producer Sam McAlister in a new drama about Prince Andrew’s Newsnight fiasco

In Scoop, the story behind the prince’s disastrous TV appearance, Piper plays McAlister, the woman who landed the interview. They discuss their unlikely alliance, the pitfalls of fame and the extent of Andrew’s delusionsThe Netflix film Scoop, which retells the story of how Newsnight landed its infamous, eye-popping 2019 interview with Prince Andrew, has a strong Working Girl vibe, which may be one reason why I enjoyed it (I’m talking about the Oscar-winning 1988 movie, in which Melanie Griffith plays a girl from Staten Island who dreams of climbing the corporate ladder). In part, this is thanks to the blond wig worn by one of Scoop’s stars, Billie Piper, which comes with a powerful whiff of the late 1980s. Mostly, though, it’s because Peter Moffat’s screenplay pitches Piper’s character, Sam McAlister, as a plucky outsider surrounded by somewhat toffee-nosed types who only finally begin to take her seriously when she lands the TV exclusive to end them all. One minute, her lip is trembling with the unfairness of it all. Why do her bosses disdain all her brilliant ideas? The next, she’s at Buckingham Palace telling the queen’s favourite son to his face that his brand is distinctly grubby and could do with a generous spin in the Newsnight washing machine.Was it really like this? When I meet Piper and the real life McAlister at Netflix HQ in the weeks before Scoop has its premiere, I hope vaguely to get to the bottom of some of the gossip that trails it; there’s talk, for... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-03-31 06:00:30 UTC ]
News tagged with: #meet piper #netflix hq #hope vaguely #ultimately delivered #netflix film #loosely based #executive producer #rival depiction #royal scandal #netflix production #unusual combination #piper plays #ten minutes #recent book

Other Publishing stories related to: '‘She was an unsung hero’: Billie Piper on playing producer Sam McAlister in a new drama about Prince Andrew’s Newsnight fiasco'


Is this inclusive? Why only 4% of children's book heroes are BAME – video

More than 33% of students at UK schools are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, but only 4% of the protagonists in children's books in the UK are BAME. The publishing industry has made big claims about its push for inclusivity both on and off the page, but some believe progress is... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-10-29 10:10:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #uk schools #publishing industry #children's book


#Merky Books to expand as Lindsay-Prince appointed commissioning editor

Stormzy’s Penguin Random House imprint is set to expand, with Lemara Lindsay-Prince appointed to the newly created role of commissioning editor for #Merky Books. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-25 01:15:20 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: ##merky books #penguin random house


In London, the Polari Prize Goes to Angela Chadwick and Andrew McMillan

The previously shortlisted Andrew McMillan and debut author Angela Chadwick are this year's honorees in the LGBT-themed awards program in the UK. The post In London, the Polari Prize Goes to Angela Chadwick and Andrew McMillan appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-10-24 09:30:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #polari prize #angela chadwick #andrew mcmillan #debut author


Two Roads lights up Glasgow for Billy Connolly campaign

Two Roads has lit up Glasgow with images of Billy Connolly to mark the launch of Tall Tales and Wee Stories. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-17 02:57:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #billy connolly #tall tales #wee stories


Maitlis' Airhead to become TV drama

"Newsnight" broadcaster Emily Maitlis' book Airhead: The Imperfect Art of Making News (Michael Joseph) will be adapted into a TV series to give viewers a glimpse of  “what making news is really like.” Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-16 09:50:10 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #tv drama #imperfect art #tv series #making news


Column: Julie Andrews relives her glorious, complicated, very real Hollywood life in her new memoir

From behind-the-scenes stories of "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music" to the pressures of balancing career and family, Julie Andrews talks candidly about the work involved in her amazing life and career. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-10-15 13:00:07 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #mary poppins #memoir


Julie Andrews shares a behind-the-scenes look at the opening sequence of ‘The Sound of Music’

In this excerpt from her memoir “Home Work,” Andrews looks back at one of her most iconic scenes. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-10-12 13:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #opening sequence #memoir


Inside Trump’s fight with the FBI: Partisan showdowns and human drama

In this blow-by-blow history, James B. Stewart makes his heroes and villains clear. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-10-11 15:52:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #inside trump #blow-by-blow history


Sam Lee kicks off Cornerstone 2020 showcase

Mercury-nominated folk singer and author Sam Lee kicked off Cornerstone's 2020 showcase last night with a live performance.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-11 15:38:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #live performance


EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL: Broken People by Sam Lansky.

Sam Lansky, author of the memoir The Gilded Razor and the West Coast Editor at TIME magazine, will publish a novel in June 2020. Here’s the cover!   Lansky’s narrator, Sam, is a writer and recovering addict based in LA in his late 20’s who is on the verge of emotional collapse. He finds himself... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2019-10-11 14:00:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #broken people #memoir


Wallace to head up international offices at Andrew Nurnberg

Andrew Nurnberg Associates has promoted Doug Wallace to head up the agency’s international offices, including Eastern Europe and Asia. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-09 23:11:31 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #andrew nurnberg


In Jojo Moyes’s ‘The Giver of Stars,’ the heroes are librarians on horseback

Though she made her mark writing contemporary romance, Moyes proves just as adept at historical fiction. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-10-03 15:31:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #jojo moyes #historical fiction


Prince Charles kicks off National Poetry Day celebrations

Celebrations for National Poetry Day are underway with Prince Charles reciting his favourite poem on Radio 2 and poets across the country revealing new poems inspired by the places we call home. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-10-03 07:57:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #call home


Grant Wacker Traces Billy Graham’s Life from Farmboy to Evangelical Royalty

In ‘One Soul at a Time,’ religion historian Wacker illuminates the life of Billy Graham, tracing the transition from his early days of hellfire preaching to his inclusive, enticing vision of Christ. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-10-03 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #billy graham #early days


Why Artemisia Gentileschi Is The Feminist Hero We Need Right Now

A new graphic novel is part of the increasing movement to elevate 16th-century painter Artemisia Gentileschi to her rightful place as a Renaissance master. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2019-10-01 10:39:20 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #graphic novel


Octopus snaps up war hero and BGT winner Colin Thackery’s memoir

Octopus Publishing Group will publish My Story: How Love Changed Everything by Colin Thackery, the life story of a war hero and winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2019.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-22 14:59:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #life story


Facebook rolls out more ‘playful’ ad formats: Friday Wake-Up Call

Welcome to Ad Age’s Wake-Up Call, our daily roundup of advertising, marketing, media and digital news. If you're reading this online or in a forwarded email, here's the link to sign up for our daily newsletter. You can also get an audio version of this briefing on your Alexa device. Facebook’s... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2019-09-20 10:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #simon dumenco #chicago bulls #cut deals #anonymous tip #publishing news


Faber snaps up Sam Knight non-fiction as Amazon triumphs in 19-way auction for screen rights

Faber will publish a major work of non-fiction by New Yorker staff writer Sam Knight, as Amazon Studios options screen rights after a 19-way auction. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-20 07:26:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #faber snaps #screen rights #major work


Kay, Andrews and Moyes lined-up for Fane Productions autumn programme

Adam Kay, Julie Andrews, Jojo Moyes and Michael Morpugo are among the high-profile authors on the line-up for Fane Productions’ autumn programme, featuring tours and live shows across the country.  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-09-18 13:24:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #adam kay #julie andrews #jojo moyes #michael morpugo #high-profile authors #live shows


Once again, Tracy Chevalier finds inspiration in an unsung woman from history

Chevalier’s new novel, ‘A Single Thread,’ tells the tale of a woman who embroiders cushions for a grand British cathedral. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-09-17 16:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #single thread