Boris Johnson News – Viewers left horrified by first look at Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in new TV show

Twitter users have been left ‘freaked out’ by an image of Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson, as shooting commences on a new drama about the prime minister.

This Sceptred Isle, a five-part series due to air on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW TV, follows “the events surrounding the UK prime minister, the government and the country in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic”.

A press release on the upcoming drama reads: “This Sceptred Isle will tell the tale of some of the most devastating events to ever befall the United Kingdom, and of a prime minister leading in these unprecedented times. 

“The drama will trace the impact on Britain from this once in a generation pandemic, and the response of scientists, nurses, and doctors as they worked tirelessly and heroically to contain and overcome the virus. 

“It is based on the first-hand testimony of people from all walks of life; 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.”

However, after the image was shared to social media, Twitter users described Branagh’s new look as “grotesque”, adding that “nobody asked for this”:

therapist: Kenneth Branagh as Boris can’t hurt you

Kenneth Branagh as Boris: https://t.co/tGi1dCRBx0

— Alex Foster (@fozzili) February 25, 2021

A radical interpretation suggesting Boris occasionally brushes his hair https://t.co/94cls5EgCK

— domcavendish (@domcavendish) February 25, 2021

Christ what is this nightmare fuel https://t.co/SYOnbpVHQx

— Rob Andrews (@RobTAndrews) February 25, 2021

There are bad ideas. And there are things we don’t need. And this is both of them. https://t.co/YRSqqlIT9I

— Darren Bell (@darren_bell) February 25, 2021

Others questioned the timing of the drama, as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold:

why do we need to rush to tell this story while the story is still happening? why do we need to turn storytelling into rolling news? news and opinion is increasingly immediate and kneejerk why does art feel it has to do the same? how can anyone have done valuable reflection yet? https://t.co/kP9J48HxXt

— Tatty Hennessy ❄️❄️ (@TattyHennessy) February 25, 2021

Can’t we at least get the damn pandemic over before we have to relive it as a box set? https://t.co/hEpPvO0hKI

— Dr Jo Kershaw (@mthr_jo) February 25, 2021

Dear filmmakers. Wait👏until👏real👏events👏are👏over👏before👏making👏biopics👏about👏them. https://t.co/LgiCxhTlFv

— James Scott (@JamesRobertScot) February 25, 2021

Not all of the comments were critical, however, with some praising the make-up department’s use of prosthetics to make Brannagh look like the PM:

Can’t believe that’s Kenneth Branagh. Honestly the makeup is unreal. https://t.co/ftzfmdSpxN

— Rohan Gotobed (@Rohan_Gotobed) February 25, 2021

So I’ll say this much: the prosthetic work is extremely good and I’m very impressed.

I’ll also add this one extra point: unless this is an utter crucifixion of this clown then it’s pointless and even if it’s insightful, poignant and changes minds, it’s too bloody soon! https://t.co/9J1G5gJsFT

— Matthew Stogdon (@stoghz) February 25, 2021

I’ll be honest, he looks more like him than I thought he would. https://t.co/fuPHpvJnBN

— Rhys Laverty (@RDLaverty) February 25, 2021

The drama is due to air in autumn 2022.