DISCOVER FITNESS MAGAZINE Open site search Sign in / Register SUBSCRIBE A Very British Scandal: the BBC have just confirmed when Claire Foy’s new must-watch drama will be airing POSTED BY KAYLEIGH DRAY FOR TV SHARE THIS SERIES Under Her Eye Add this article to your list of favourites As the BBC have just confirmed its Boxing Day premiere date, here’s what you need to know about Claire Foy’s A Very British Scandal. Claire Foy has become synonymous with excellent historical dramas, thanks to her take on Anne Boleyn in the BBC’s Wolf Hall and her award-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown. Now, the actor has decided to shine a light on Margaret, Duchess of Argyll – one of the most (unfairly) maligned women in modern history – in BBC One and Amazon Studios’ A Very British Scandal. Now, after months of eagerly awaiting a confirmed release date, we have one: the first episode of A Very British Scandal will be airing on BBC One on Boxing Day (Sunday 26 December) at 9pm. WHAT IS THE PLOT OF A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL? Written by Sarah Phelps (oh she of Dublin Murders fame), A Very British Scandal focuses on the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, one of the most notorious, extraordinary and brutal legal cases of the 20th century. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Best TV shows of 2021: 68 brilliant TV shows to watch this year (with release dates) “Famed for her charisma, beauty and style, Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, dominated the front pages as a divorce featuring accusations of forgery, theft, violence, drug-taking, secret recording, bribery and an explicit polaroid picture all played out in the white-hot glare of the 1960s media,” reads the official synopsis. “A Very British Scandal turns this scandal inside out in order to explore the social and political climate of post-war Britain, looking at attitudes towards women, and asking whether institutional misogyny was widespread at the time. “As her contemporaries, the press, and the judiciary sought to vilify her, Margaret kept her head held high with bravery and resilience, refusing to go quietly as she was betrayed by her friends and publicly shamed by a society that revelled in her fall from grace.” A Very British Scandal: Claire Foy will portray Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. Phelps says the special three-parter will explore the “institutional misogyny” the Duchess suffered. The official release date for the series is yet to be announced. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE 9 brilliant autumn TV dramas that put women front and centre WHO WILL STAR IN A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL? Foy will, as mentioned, take on the role of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. WandaVision and Wimbledon actor Paul Bettany, meanwhile, will star opposite her as the Duke of Argyll. Julia Davis (Nighty Night, Gavin & Stacey) will star as Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava. Joining the limited series, written by Sarah Phelps (The Pale Horse, Dublin Murders), are: Amanda Drew (The Trial of Christine Keeler, Trust), Richard McCabe (Poldark), Phoebe Nicholls (The Elephant Man), Camilla Rutherford (Phantom Thread), Timothy Renouf (Afterlife of the Party), Sophia Myles (A Discovery of Witches, Spooks), Sophie Ward (The Moonstone), Tim Steed (The Death of Stalin, Cruella), and Katherine Manners (Press, War & Peace). Richard Goulding (The Crown, The Murders at White House Farm), Jonathan Aris (Sherlock, The Night Manager), Oliver Chris (Trying, King Charles III), Nicholas Rowe (Roadkill, Young Sherlock Holmes), and Miles Jupp (The Durrells) will also star. IS THERE A TRAILER FOR A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL? A Very British Scandal has yet to begin filming, but we will be sure to bring you a trailer just as soon as one becomes available. Claire Foy will take on the role of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll alongside WandaVision and Wimbledon actor Paul Bettany as the Duke of Argyll. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE Netflix’s The One: why we’re so drawn to the show’s theories on love WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL? “Writing the story of Margaret’s life and the events leading up to and including her divorce from the Duke has been a passion project of mine since 1993 when I first heard her name and started learning about her,” Phelps has said of the project. “I felt very strongly that she’d been punished for being a woman, for being visible, for refusing to back down, be a good girl and go quietly. This drama is my tribute to her.” The first look images of A Very British Scandal seem to promise some great winter TV. Foy added: “I’m so excited to work with Anne, Sarah and Paul on this extraordinary project, and to explore through this story, how often shame, judgement and controversy surrounds a woman’s sexuality.” And Bettany has said: “I’m delighted to be working with the remarkable Claire Foy to tell the fascinating and scandalous story of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their very complicated lives. “I’m also extremely happy to get the chance to once again be working with the wonderful teams at the BBC and Amazon Studios.” WHEN WILL A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL BECOME AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING? The three-episode series will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK on Boxing Day (Sunday 26 December) at 9pm. Each hour-long episode will then air consecutively at 9pm on 27 and 28 December. Anyone else counting down the days? A Very British Scandal will air on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 26 December. Sign up for the latest news and must-read features from Stylist, so you don't miss out on the conversation. ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS LET'S GO! BY ENTERING MY EMAIL I AGREE TO STYLIST’S PRIVACY POLICY Images: BBC TOPICS CLAIRE FOY NETFLIX AMAZON PRIME BBC DRAMA SHARE THIS ARTICLE KAYLEIGH DRAY Kayleigh Dray is Stylist’s digital editor-at-large. Her specialist topics include comic books, films, TV and feminism. On a weekend, you can usually find her drinking copious amounts of tea and playing boardgames with her friends. RECOMMENDED BY KAYLEIGH DRAY TV 68 brilliant new TV shows to watch in 2021 (with release dates) TV Prepare to lose it over these 7 genius And Just Like That fan theories TV 19 deliciously dark Scandi crime dramas to stream on Netflix TV 9 brilliant autumn TV dramas that put women front and centre FASHIONBEAUTYHEALTHHOMECELEBRITYFILMTVPODCASTSBOOKSCAREERSSTRONG WOMENCURIOSITY ACADEMYMONEYRELATIONSHIPSTRAVELFOOD AND DRINKEVENTSNEWSPOLITICSWINSTYLIST LOVESTHE DROPEMAIL SIGN-UP COOKIE POLICYPRIVACY POLICYSUBSCRIPTIONSWEBSITE TERMS & CONDITIONSCOMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONSCONTACTWHERE TO FIND STYLISTCOOKIE PREFERENCES Visit us on facebook Visit us on twitter Visit us on instagram Visit us on youtube Advertise with usJobs at The Stylist Group COPYRIGHT © 2010–2021 STYLIST We Care About Your Privacy We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.Cookie Policy We and our partners process data to provide: Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors) I Accept Show Purposes