If you’re hunting for a new true story drama to fill the time, Netflix has added a 60s-set British political scandal to its catalogue.
The Trial of Christine Keeler, which first aired on BBC One in 2019, is very much what it says on the tin, with a late-stage courtroom drama in the six-parter.
So who is Christine Keeler? Most will remember this major political uproar as the Profumo affair, centred around disgraced politician John Profumo. But this drama gives that story a fresh perspective: that of the woman at the eye of the media storm.
Keeler, played by Sophie Cookson, is a 19-year-old model living in Notting Hill with her boyfriend Johnny (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) and having a whale of a time after a difficult childhood.
That is, until she meets the osteopath to the stars Stephen Ward (James Norton), who knows everyone worth knowing (including, The Crown fans will remember, Prince Phillip). He spends most of his screen time calling Christine ‘little baby’.
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It is Ward who introduces her to John Profumo, played by Ben Miles (again, to The Crown fans, the tragic Peter Townsend). Miles nails the creepiness of this older man – not to mention a secretary of state – leering over a teenage Christine when they first meet at a countryside pool party.
Under Ward’s watchful eye Christine and Profumo grow close and go on to have an affair. When a possible Russian national security risk is revealed by their relationship, it sets off a series of events that lead to public scandal.
If The Crown comparisons weren’t already obvious, this is definitely one fans of that Netflix mainstay will enjoy. It plays in the same paddling pool of the upper crust, but approaches it from the perspective of a woman who started life at the opposite end of the class ladder.
The real-life Christine Keeler died in 2017, so sadly never got to see this adaptation of her life.
Metro’s thoughts on The Trial of Christine Keeler
Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her take on the miniseries…
Experiencing the facts of the Profumo affair against the maelstrom of modern politics – which we often go to TV for respite from – makes the scandal that dominated 1962 headlines now seem quaint.
A politician who actually resigned after misconduct? Imagine. Said disgraced politician spending the rest of his chastened life devoted to charity work? It may as well be pure fiction.
Real-life Christine was only a teen when her life turned upside down and the show goes some way to capturing how utterly disorientating that would be.
Depending on what flavour of show you’re after, you will either be fascinated or infuriated by James Norton’s Ward character. He is an inscrutable man of contradictions, played purposefully enigmatic. The show never really decides whether he is a sinner or a saint in the crossfire.
Netflix quietly added the show to its catalogue last week and viewers have already been tuning in to watch all six episodes.
Taking to X to share their thoughts on the show, @pirwany wrote: ‘Brilliant acting by Sophie Cookson in Trial of Christine Keeler in #Netflix drama.’
@BolandCatherine wrote: ‘Absolutely outstanding performance by James Norton in The Trial of Christine Keeler @netflix.’
@SharonScot66875 chimed: ‘That’s my weekend binge catch you over the weekend. Seen The Trial of Christine Keeler on Netflix yet?’
The Trial of Christine Keeler is available to watch on Netflix.
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