Billie Piper speaks out on the importance of recognising the abuse of women ... trends now

Billie Piper has spoken out about the importance of recognising horrific abuse of women after filming Netflix film Scoop.

The actress, 41, plays ex-BBC producer Sam McAlister who set up Prince Andrew's infamous Newsnight interview. 

The film, which will be released on April 5, dramatises the behind the scenes action in the build up to Prince Andrew's Newsnight interview, as well as fallout from the hour of television that essentially put an end to Andrew's time as a working member of the Royal Family. 

The Duke of York had been confronted by presenter Emily Maitlis about his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, with the prince being ridiculed in the media and online for his answers to some of her questions.

Billie told the Radio Times: 'Whenever there’s a story about abuse of women, I pay attention.

'I’m an ambassador for Refuge [the domestic abuse charity] so this is something that I feel passionately about: the protection of women and children specifically.

'The interview, whatever you feel about it, was such an important part of exposing this story. And [Sam and Amanda] were integral to that. 

'So telling their story felt important to me. And seeing the things that we didn’t know about the interview, like the fact that it was signed off by the Palace, was fascinating to me.

'But when it comes to people in positions of power, people that have to be accountable, I feel a bit differently. I think we deserve to know the truth about what they’re up to and what they’re doing. More so than, let’s say, Britney Spears on a Friday night.'

Meanwhile, Billie's co-star Rufus Sewell, who plays Prince Andrew, spoke about how the royal had 'muddled ideas' about the interview.

Actor Rufus, 56, insisted Prince Andrew believed he was a 'victim of being too honourable'. 

He added that while he was afraid of what the repercussions would be for other people, he believed he was set up.

Meanwhile, former BBC producer Sam McAlister said the hour-long interview was some of the most 'excruciating and impactful interview questions and answers in the history of BBC journalism'.