The Reckoning's Steve Coogan cast in another true story drama
The Reckoning's Steve Coogan has signed up to play another real-life figure in two-part Channel 4 drama Brian and Margaret.
Directed by Oscar nominee Stephen Frears from a James Graham script, the programme is based on Rob Burley's book Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me: Searching for the Truth on Political TV.
Coogan will appear as journalist Brian Walden as he conducts a TV interview with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1989. Succession's Harriet Walter will play Thatcher.
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"Little do they realise they're about to embark on one of the most infamous political exchanges of all time," teases a synopsis.
"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."
Coogan shared his excitement for the project in a statement, saying: "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!"
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Walter said: "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, writer Graham commented: "As we enter another election and wrestle with the importance and effectiveness of the 'political interview', it's a chance to bring to life the intimate and complicated relationship between Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher – interrogator, and Prime Minister.
"An epic one of love and betrayal, and I think an audience will be surprised by a lot of it. I know I was."
Brian and Margaret will air on Channel 4.
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