Gillian Anderson reveals why she turned down the role of Emily Maitlis in ... trends now

Gillian Anderson has revealed she initially turned down the role of Emily Maitlis in Netflix's film Scoop.

The acclaimed actress plays the Newsnight host in the anticipated movie which dramatises the notorious 2019 interview between Prince Andrew and Emily.

But Gillian has confessed she took some persuading to take on the role, insisting it 'was just too scary to play Emily Maitlis, because she's still living.'

'She's so formidable, because people know her so well,' she explained in a new BBC interview.

The actress admitted that her fear encouraged her to say yes to the project. 'I thought I probably do have to do it because I'm so scared of it,' pointed out. 

Gillian ended up meeting 'amazing' Emily at a party last year and she admitted 'I behaved with her as if I knew her. As if we were best friends.'

Whiule Emily knew Gillian was playing her in the Netflix movie, she did not consult on the film because she is serving as an executive producer on a rival three-part Amazon series titled A Very Royal Scandal, which will star Luther's Ruth Wilson as Maitlis and Michael Sheen in the role of Prince Andrew.

Rufus Sewell stars as Prince Andrew in Scoop, which is based on the memoir of former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister, who secured the royal interview.

McAlister is player by Billie Piper in the drama.

The full trailer for Netflix drama Scoop was unveiled on Monday with a standout moment in the trailer coming from Billie who attempts to woo the prince into speaking with the BBC about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

 Sam probes: 'With respect, you know how people see you.' As the late queen's third child looks on blankly, he

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