First look at Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson in new Sky series This Sceptred Isle

A photo shared by the broadcaster shows the 60-year-old Oscar-nominated actor with blond tousled hair as he stares, frowning, into the distance, in his role as the UK Prime Minister.

The series will focus on the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.

“The five-part drama will chart the events surrounding the UK Prime Minister, the Government, and the country in the face of the first wave of the global pandemic,” a statement from Sky said.

It is based on the first-hand testimony of people from Downing Street, the Department of Health, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), care homes and hospitals, according to the broadcaster.

Filming has begun for the series, which is being directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Tim Shipman, political editor of the Sunday Times, is acting as a consultant.

A post on Sky TV’s Twitter page, which was shared alongside the image, said: “No, you’re not seeing things. That’s Kenneth Branagh as U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the first day of filming This Sceptred Isle.”

The drama will begin with Mr Johnson’s appointment as Prime Minister and will recount the first coronavirus cases in the UK.

It will tell the story of the 56-year-old premier falling ill with the virus, as well as the arrival of his son, Wilfred.

This Sceptred Isle will also focus on the impact of the pandemic on the country as a whole.

The series will air in the autumn of next year on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.