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What viewers think about new Sky drama on Johnson's government during pandemic

Kenneth Branagh pays Boris Johnson in the new Sky series This England. Pictures: SKY
Kenneth Branagh pays Boris Johnson in the new Sky series This England. Pictures: SKY

A new drama on Sky Atlantic, This England, depicts behind the scenes action of the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his former advisor Dominic Cummings at loggerheads in the early stages of the Covid pandemic in 2020.

The series is filled with revelations, surprises and interactions of senior government ministers that will have viewers laughing and crying.

The drama is not exclusive to what went on in Number 10 but how the events arguably changed Britain forever.

Sir Kenneth Branagh, known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, plays the role of Mr Johnson as he “grapples with the pandemic and Brexit against a backdrop of a controversial political and personal life,” Sky writes.

Kenneth Branagh playing Boris Johnson. Picture: SKY

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“From the experts and scientists racing against time to understand the virus; the doctors, nurses and care-home workers on the frontline working tirelessly and heroically to contain and overcome it; and ordinary people whose lives were thrown into turmoil.”

Having spent two hours every morning being transformed from the Kenneth Branagh we all recognise to Boris Johnson, viewers were stunned at the likeness.

Other cast members include; Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Symonds, Andrew Buchan as Matt Hancock, Simon Paisley Day as Dominic Cummings and Shri Patel as Rishi Sunak.

Kenneth Branagh and Ophelia Lovibond. Picture: SKY

The series starts off in early 2020 as Boris Johnson, who is dealing with the difficulties posed by Brexit, and writing a book on Shakespeare, while a “mysterious Sars-like virus” outbreak in China is ever-present in the background.

Kenneth Branagh was transformed into a Boris Johnson look-alike. Picture: SKY

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A chaotic power struggle follows between Johnson and Cummings giving viewers a sense of Déjà vu.

Paisley Day has a striking resemblance to Cummings and his dishevelled way of dressing adds to this.

Simon Paisley Day as Dominic Cummings in This England. Picture: SKY

Cummings has been portrayed before, however, as Benedict Cumberbatch in 2019 played him in Brexit: The Uncivil War.

Initial reaction to the series is mixed over it being perhaps “too soon”, people have taken to the comments section of the official trailer on YouTube to air their views.

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One user commented: “The casting is severely well done.”

Another commented: “Looks interesting. My initial feeling is that this is something that needed to wait perhaps at least another 10 years before it was filmed. It just seems too close to us for it to be turned into a drama. I mean these events only took place a few years ago.”

Another said: “I’m so excited for this!”

The series was scheduled to air earlier this month but due to the death of Her Late Majesty it was postponed until this week (Wednesday, September 28).

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