When it comes to playing formidable women, Hollywood actress Gillian Anderson seems to have cornered the market.
From Wallis Simpson to Margaret Thatcher and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, her portrayals are uncannily well observed.
However, her latest role – as Newsnight journalist Emily Maitlis opposite Rufus Sewell as the Duke of York in the Netflix drama Scoop – was a whole other challenge.
A highly regarded TV journalist, Emily reached a global audience after holding Prince Andrew to account on the BBC show in November 2019.
“It was the first time I’ve played a real-life character who is still alive – and I have to say, it’s more daunting playing an Emily Maitlis than a Margaret Thatcher,” says Gillian, 55. “People know Emily so well. They listen to her