BBC First to Premiere This England Starring Kenneth Branagh from September 22

Teaser promo here

The highly-anticipated drama This England, starring BAFTA and Academy Award-winner Kenneth Branagh as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, will premiere in Australia on BBC First on FOXTEL and Fetch from September 22 and will also be available on BINGE. The series charts the events surrounding Johnson, the government and the country at large as the UK makes its way  through the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

This England is a Sky Original drama, produced by Michael Winterbottom’s Revolution Films (The Trip, 24-Hour Party People) and Richard Brown’s Passenger (True Detective, Catch-22, Outlaw King) and distributed by Fremantle. Co-written and directed by Michael Winterbottom, the series also stars Ophelia Lovibond (Elementary) as Johnson’s then fiancée (now wife) Carrie Symonds, Simon Paisley Day (Brexit: The Uncivil War) as Boris’s senior adviser Dominic Cummings and Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch) as former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Based on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first months as UK Prime Minister, This England traces the impact on Britain of the first wave of the pandemic. The drama takes us inside the halls of power, as Johnson (Branagh) grapples with Covid-19, Brexit, and a controversial personal and political life. The events in government are interwoven with first-hand testimonies from around the country, from the experts and scientists racing against time; the doctors, nurses and care-home workers working tirelessly and heroically on the frontline; and ordinary people whose lives were thrown into turmoil.

Chrissie Carras, Head of Branded Services, BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand, said: “Different countries responded to COVID-19 in very different ways. BBC First is the home of premium British drama and we are pleased to bring this fascinating insight into how the UK tackled the devastating events that affected the world to Australian audiences.”

Images are available here

A promo is available  here

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For more information, please contact: Sue.Affleck@bbc.com T: +61 404 604 731