A Very English Scandal, Russell T Davies’ drama about the Jeremy Thorpe scandal, has won the prestigious Broadcast Award for Best Drama
Every year the judges at Broadcast Magazine host the Broadcast Awards, celebrating the best in British television. This year the Award for Best Drama Series or Serial went to A Very English Scandal, from former Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies.
Davies’ drama explored the true story of the relationship between Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe and his lover Norman Scott. And also how it ultimately led to Thorpe standing trial for Scott’s attempted murder. Proving a highlight of 2018, it has already seen star Ben Wishlaw win a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Scott. But now it can add a Broadcast Award to its haul too.
The Broadcast judges described Davies’ script as “tragic, funny and outrageous” script. It told “an impeccable story of a complex human and social drama,” while still being “witty and hugely entertaining.”
There was also praise for Stephen Frears’ “beautifully executed” direction and for the “perfectly cast” Hugh Grant in the lead role as Thorpe.
A Very English Scandal triumphed in a year of great drama
A Very English Scandal beat out Sky Atlantic’s Save Me to win the award. Suranne Jones (The Doctor’s Wife) and Susan Lynch (The Ghost Monument) featured in the kidnap drama. Save Me was, however, acknowledged as Highly Commended.
Also shortlisted, but ultimately losing out to A Very English Scandal was Bodyguard, starring Keely Hawes (Time Heist), Kiri, starring Sarah Lancashire (Partners in Crime), Patrick Melrose and The End of the F***ing World.
Russell T Davies is currently working on his new series Years and Years, now filming. A cautionary tale, the six-part series charts fifteen years in the lives of one close-knit family. But can they stay afloat in the post-Brexit Britain of the 2020s? Also coming soon from Davies is The Boys, a five-part drama set in the gay community of the 1980s. The drama follows its characters while the emerging AIDS epidemic unfolds.
Blogtor Who’s own reviews of A Very English Scandal can be found below.
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
