Partygate is a British satirical political docudrama. It is a fictionalised dramatisation of the political scandal dubbed "Partygate" in British politics during the prime ministerial government of Boris Johnson. It mixes contemporary news footage with dramatisations of parties in Downing Street during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. It was broadcast on Channel 4 on 3 October 2023.
| Partygate | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Starring | |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Production company |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 3 October 2023 |
Synopsis
editPartygate is a political satire covering the story of 10 Downing Street gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. It included fictionalised dramatisations of Downing Street parties interwoven with archive news footage and documentary interviews. Many of the dramatisations were based on Sue Gray's Partygate report and the Commons Privileges Committee investigation. Characters of special advisors were fictional, but based on real people.[1][2][3]
Cast
edit- Georgie Henley as Grace Greenwood
- Jon Culshaw as Boris Johnson
- Craig Parkinson as Lee Cain
- Ophelia Lovibond as Annabel D'acre
- Phil Daniels as Mickey Port
- Rebecca Humphries as Carrie Johnson
- Charlotte Ritchie as Helen MacNamara
- Tom Durant-Pritchard as Rory Baskerville
- Anthony Calf as Sir Mark Sedwill
- Alice Lowe as Shelley Williams-Walker
- Kimberley Nixon as Kate Joseph
- Alice Orr-Ewing as Alice Lyons
- Naomi Battrick as Cleo Watson
- Edwin Flay as Martin Reynolds
- Hugh Skinner as Josh Fitzmaurice
- Fanny Bacaya as Fanny
- Gisele Mbalaga as Giselle[4]
Production
editChannel 4 announced the project as Partygate - The True Story on 18 April 2023.[5] In September 2023, the title was shortened to Partygate.[6] It was produced by Halcyons Heart Films.[7]
It was announced in August 2023 that Craig Parkinson, Ophelia Lovibond, Charlotte Ritchie, Rebecca Humphries, Kimberley Nixon and Phil Daniels would all have roles, with Jon Culshaw voicing the prime minister.[8]
Marketing for the show from 4Creative included rave-era style flyer distribution.[9][10]
Broadcast and reception
editChannel 4 released an official trailer in September 2023.[11] That month, a broadcast date of 3 October 2023 was announced.[12]
The Financial Times gave the film three stars out of five, saying that it "boils the blood but it does little to captivate the mind."[13] The Guardian gave the drama four stars, calling it "a giant, exploding grenade of a TV show" and heralding it as "a vital document of a moment of national shame."[14]
Accolades
editThe series won Best Single Drama at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards in March 2024.[15][16] The series was nominated for Best Single Drama or Mini-Series 1-3 EPS at the 2024 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.[17]
References
edit- ^ "How accurate is Partygate? True story behind Channel 4 drama".
- ^ "Partygate on Channel 4: Cast, what it's about and what time it is on". 3 October 2023.
- ^ Singh, Anita (3 October 2023). "Partygate, Channel 4, review: like political satire done by a sixth-form drama troupe". The Telegraph.
- ^ Cormack, Morgan (3 October 2023). "Meet the cast of Partygate on Channel 4". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ Morris, Lauren (18 April 2023). "Channel 4 announces "provocative" docudrama Partygate the True Story". Radio Times. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (22 September 2023). "Channel 4's Partygate Cast To Include Georgie Henley, Ophelia Lovibond And Jon Culshaw As Voice Of Boris Johnson". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (18 April 2023). "Johnny Depp, Amber Heard Documentary & Partygate Scandal Drama On Channel 4 Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Seddon, Dan (23 August 2023). "Line of Duty star cast in Channel 4 Partygate drama". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Watson, Imogen. "Channel 4 hypes up Partygate docudrama with rave-style flyer campaign". Campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "4Creative Pays Homage to '90s Rave Culture to Promote New Channel 4 Show Partygate". lbbonline. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Cast revealed for Channel 4's Partygate". Chortle. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Jade, Kayleigh (21 September 2023). "Partygate start date and cast revealed for new Channel 4 drama". Tellymix. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ "Partygate, Channel 4 review — Covid-era docudrama pulls no punches". Financial Times. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ "Partygate review – a giant, exploding grenade of a TV show". The Guardian. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Szalai, Giorg (26 March 2024). "Hannah Waddingham, 'Happy Valley,' Bella Ramsey Among Winners of Royal Television Society Awards". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "RTS PROGRAMME AWARDS 2024". RTS.org.uk. 7 March 2024.
- ^ Naylor, James (29 February 2024). "BPG Television and Streaming nominations for the 50th annual BPG Awards". Broadcasting-pressguild.org. Retrieved 21 March 2024.