Kenneth Branagh to play Boris Johnson in Sky drama This Sceptred Isle

BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning actor Kenneth Branagh is set to star as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a new five-part Sky drama.

Co-written by Michael Winterbottom, the director's previous hits include Welcome To Sarajevo, A Mighty Heart, 24-Hour Party People and The Road To Guantanamo.

The miniseries will trace the UK Conservative Government's reaction to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, presumably touching on the controversial and dire "herd immunity" strategy.

There's little indication yet whether it'll point out the various flaws of the political administration, but the focus appears to be more on the doctors, nurses and members of the public who came together to start fighting the virus.

The show will be based on first-hand testimony of people from from Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and from hospitals and care homes across the country.

Winterbottom wrote This Sceptred Isle with Kieron Quirke and will also direct all five episodes.

"The first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic will be remembered forever," says Winterbottom.

"A time when the country came together to battle an invisible enemy. A time when people were more aware than ever of the importance of community. Our series weaves together countless true stories – from Boris Johnson in Number 10 to front line workers around the country – chronicling the efforts of scientists, doctors, care home workers and policy makers to protect us from the virus".

Winterbottom plans to film the series this year with the idea to premiere it in autumn of 2022.

Branagh most recently starred in sci-fi thriller Tenet.