Sir Kenneth Branagh will play Boris Johnson in controversial five-part TV drama

He has thrilled audiences with portrayals as diverse as Prince Hamlet and Hercule Poirot.

But now Sir Kenneth Branagh is set to take on perhaps his most challenging character part yet.

The 60-year-old is to play Boris Johnson in a highly controversial five-part TV drama about Britain’s year-long battle with the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed how the series, This Sceptred Isle, would depict the Prime Minister’s 11-year-old love child Stephanie, whom he fathered in 2009. 

And yesterday it was announced that five-time Academy Award nominee Sir Kenneth would be taking the lead in the drama, which will be aired on Sky Atlantic next year. 

Casting for Mr Johnson’s fiancee Carrie Symonds is ongoing and it is understood that a decision has yet to be made.

The 60-year-old is to play Boris Johnson in a highly controversial five-part TV drama

Labour supporter Michael Winterbottom has co-written the series with Kieron Quirke and will direct all five episodes.

Mr Winterbottom said: ‘Our series weaves together countless true stories – from Boris Johnson in No 10 to frontline workers around the country – chronicling the efforts of scientists, doctors, care home workers and policy makers to protect us from the virus.’

Despite sharing more detail about his series, he refrained from admitting that Stephanie, who has been able to live her life away from the limelight, will feature.

The series will explore Mr Johnson’s first six months in office, as the pandemic swept the country

Last week this newspaper told how producers are looking for a young actress to play Stephanie, who is the Prime Minister’s daughter by former mistress Helen Macintyre. Ms Macintyre is also to be portrayed in the drama.

Television production company Fremantle hired London-based Des Hamilton Casting to search for a well-spoken girl, aged 11 to 12, with blonde/brown hair.

Candidates were asked to record themselves acting out a scene in which Stephanie meets Ms Symonds and Wilfred, her son with Mr Johnson, who was born in April, a month into the first lockdown.

The series will explore Mr Johnson’s first six months in office, as the pandemic swept the country.

It is based on first-hand testimony from staff in Downing Street, the Department of Health, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and those working in hospitals and care homes.

Shortly after the Brexit referendum, Sir Kenneth, one of Britain’s leading Shakespearean actors, said: ‘It’s impossible not to feel we’re living through another moment of historical import politically. It will be interesting to see how that plays with the audience.’

The PM was previously depicted in the 2017 BBC drama Theresa v Boris and the 2019 Channel 4 drama Brexit: The Uncivil War. He has been portrayed on stage several times – including the recent The Last Temptation Of Boris Johnson.