‘A Very English Scandal’ pics gallery: Hugh Grant stars in BBC’s 1960s political scandal drama

New photos from the set of the BBC’s upcoming drama A Very English Scandal have been unveiled by the Radio Times.

Written by Russell T Davies (Doctor Who, The Grand) and directed by Stephen Frears (Florence Foster Jenkins), the BBC’s new three-part mini-series features Bridget Jones star Hugh Grant in his first TV role in 20 years.

Coming soon to BBC One, A Very English Scandal tells the shocking true story of the first British politician to stand trial for conspiracy and incitement to murder.

The official synopsis reads: “It is the late 1960s, homosexuality has only just been decriminalised, and Jeremy Thorpe, the leader of the Liberal party and the youngest leader of any British political party in a hundred years, has a secret he’s desperate to hide.

“As long as his ex-lover Norman Scott is around, Thorpe’s brilliant career is at risk. With the help of friends, Thorpe schemes and deceives – until he can see only one way to silence Scott for good. The trial of Jeremy Thorpe changed society forever, illuminating the darkest secrets of the Establishment.

“The Thorpe affair revealed such breath-taking deceit and corruption that, at the time, hardly anyone dared believe it could be true.”

Hugh Grant plays disgraced MP Jeremy Thorpe, alongside Ben Whishaw (Spectre) as Norman Scott.

The series is based on journalist John Preston’s book, A Very English Scandal: Sex, Lies And A Murder Plot At The Heart Of The Establishment.

Writer Russell T Davies previously commented: “I’ve wanted to write this story for years, ever since I was 16 and saw it unfold on the news. It’s probably the first gay story I ever heard. John Preston’s brilliant book illuminates a vital and fascinating piece of British history.”

A Very English Scandal is expected to air on BBC One in the UK later this month.