People Cannot Get Over Who Is Playing Boris Johnson In Pandemic Drama

Directed by Michael Winterbottom, This England is a Sky Original drama charting Boris Johnson’s ‘tumultuous’ first months as prime minister, including how he dealt with the disruption of key events like Brexit and, of course, the Covid pandemic. 

Due to air later this year on Sky Atlantic and NOW, the series sees BAFTA and Academy Award winner Kenneth Branagh portray the nation’s leader – with many people remarking just how unrecognisable he is with Johnson’s trademark ruffled blonde barnet. 

After a first-look teaser and images were released earlier today (Wednesday 18 May), viewers took to social media to express their surprise, with some saying they couldn't even tell the difference between Johnson and his new on-screen counterpart.

One tweeted: "NO WAY THAT’S KENNETH BRANAGH."

Another said that it was 'literally Boris Johnson', while someone else added: "Not me watching the scene again and again what do mean thats kenneth branagh?Thats boris johnson hahahahshs."

A fourth wrote: "That’s actually scarily close. Good job prosthetics and makeup department."

A fifth also joked: "I'm tempted to say Boris Johnson has been playing Kenneth Branagh the entire time."

The drama takes us behind the scenes of Downing Street to show Johnson juggle the ups and downs of politics, a pandemic and a ‘controversial’ personal life. 

A synopsis from Sky says: “This England, a Sky Original drama, is co-written and directed by Michael Winterbottom and stars BAFTA and Academy Award-winner Kenneth Branagh. 

“The series, based on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first months as UK Prime Minister, traces the impact on Britain of the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

“The drama takes us inside the halls of power, as Johnson (Branagh) grapples with Covid-19, Brexit, and a controversial personal and political life. 

“The events in government are interwoven with stories from around the UK, from the experts and scientists racing against time to understand the virus; the doctors, nurses and care-home workers on the frontline working tirelessly and heroically to contain and overcome it; and ordinary people whose lives were thrown into turmoil.” 

 Watch This England later this year on Sky Atlantic and NOW.