'Anatomy of a Scandal' is Coming to Netflix In April

First, there was A Very English Scandal. Then there was A Very British Scandal. Now comes a second anthology series, Anatomy of a Scandal, which also focuses on the misbehaviors of the elite upper classes in the U.K. that keep the tabloids' sales in the black. The new series, exclusive to Netflix here in the states, was developed by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and Melissa James Gibson (House of Cards). Season 1 adapts the Sarah Vaughan novel Anatomy of a Scandal (which gives the program its name), with plans to tell different close-ended stories should Netflix greenlight future seasons.

The series was first announced in May 2020 as planned for a six-episode miniseries, then expanded to a multiseason anthology. In September 2020, the main cast was announced, with Rupert Friend (Homeland) and Sienna Miller (The Lost City of Z) cast to play the book's leading married couple, James and Sophie Whitehouse. Their perfect lives and marriage are ripped apart when a sex scandal from James' past suddenly comes back to haunt him, even as his wife remains by his side, convinced of his innocence. Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) will play Kate Woodcroft, QC, the steely criminal barrister prosecuting James for his alleged crimes, as convinced he is guilty as Sophie is of his innocence.

Miller is quoted in the press release as saying, "I was a huge fan of the book and of my character Sophie. She is multi-faceted and facing the consequences of the decisions she has made in her life of privilege that are catching up with her. I loved the arc and journey she embarks on and was thrilled to be part of such a talented cast and crew."