Anatomy of a Scandal premieres on Netflix on April 15, 2022. The political thriller was the much-awaited adaptation of Sarah Vaughan’s novel of the same name. Coming from the creators of Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, and The Undoing, the project has a roster of talent. Ruper Friend, who plays the lead, James Whitehouse MP assures viewers that the show is a total “binge-fest” in an interview.

Rupert said, “So you can expect a very high production value, great writing, great characters but also that classic David E. Kelley thing of what seems to be a very glossy flawless world of beautiful people. 

And you lift the lid on that and of course, it’s filled with rot beneath. And that rot it brings the house crashing down.”

The show is about a minister of British Parliament who finds himself in a predicament after he’s accused of rape. With a target on his back, he has to find a way to win over his supporters and his wife. 

No bad blood off camera 

Rupert Friend may have faulted the women on camera but behind the scenes, it was all smiles. The environment on set was positive.

“I would just come to work every day just like a kid on Christmas. And I got to see terrific actresses at work every day. And we got to a laugh a hell of a lot along with the making of it,” he expressed.

He found James Whitehead on Anatomy of a Scandal fascinating and repelling 

His character is that of a loathsome minister who develops a god complex. For the actor, playing such a character was fascinating. However, at the same time, he found James Whitehead repulsive.

“The idea of climbing inside the shoes of a man who I found fairly repellant was fascinating.”

However, he couldn’t resist the idea of working with SJ Clarkson. The actor shared how Clarkson is a “director, with whom I had such fascinating discussions about the nature of entitlement, intent, privilege, elitism, and although I don’t have any empathy or sympathy for that echelon of society,” he quipped.

Well, we are glad he chose to be a part of Anatomy of a Scandal. What about you?