Steve Coogan as Brian Walden and Harriet Walter as Margaret Thatcher in Channel 4’s new drama (Image: Channel 4 )
Downton Abbey star Harriet Walter looks unrecognisable in new promo photos for Channel 4 drama Margaret and Brian.
The actress, 74, known for playing Lady Shackleton in Downtown Abbey, portrays former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the new programme, while actor Steve Coogan takes on the role of journalist Brian Walden.
The two-part series focuses on the final ever TV interview of Margaret, who died in 2013, and Brian, a BAFTA-winning journalist and former Labour MP, who was famed for hosting ITV’s political programme, Weekend World.
Margaret and Brian will look into whether ‘the slow death of full-length political TV interviews puts modern democracy at risk’. The new series is directed by BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Stephen Frears, who also worked on Philomena and A Very English Scandal.
The new series focuses on Margaret Thatcher and Brian Walden (Image: PA )
The official synposis reads: “1989. When Brian and Margaret came together for their last-ever TV interview, little did they know they were about to embark on one of the most famous political exchanges of all time. The 45-minute showdown became a national talking point and set in train a series of events that ended with Margaret’s resignation. Afterwards, they never spoke again…”
A release date is yet to be released, but it is understood that the show will air next eyar on Channel 4. Promo photos show Harriet dressed up as Margaret, sporting a navy blue skirt suit and white shirt. She is sat opposite Steve, who can be seen wearing a black suit while holding a notepad.
Margaret and Brian is written by James Graham, who worked on Sherwood and Quiz. It is based on political editor and TV producer Rob Burley’s book, Why is This Lying B***** Lying to Me?: Searching for the Truth on Political TV.
The series was announced back in June, with actress Harriet saying of her role: “I have to travel a great distance to reach Maggie Thatcher but with James’s brilliant script, Stephen Frears to guide me and Steve Coogan to accompany me I have the dream team to help me achieve it.”
Meanwhile, Steve said: “It’s great to be telling a story from the era of the sorely missed forensic interview – two giants of their time locking horns to determine the future of Britain. To act opposite Harriet Walter with a script by James Graham directed by Stephen Frears is a challenge of the very best kind!”
Writer James teased the series as an “epic one of love and betrayal”, adding: “I think an audience will be surprised by a lot of it. I know I was.”