Robert Lindsay is the
Prime Minister in
The Trial of Tony Blair
“We were treated to an all-too-plausible glimpse into the troubled mind and future of our beloved leader in The Trial of Tony Blair.” The Scotsman
In the wake of Tony Blair’s recent announcement that he is to stand down as British Prime Minister, BBC AMERICA presents a fictional satire of one of the most powerful and controversial figures on the world’s political stage. Made for TV movie, The Trial of Tony Blair, premieres Sunday, June 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
The year is 2010 and Blair is giving his last ministerial broadcast, having finally handed over the reigns of power to his deputy, Gordon Brown. On the other side of the Atlantic, President Hillary Clinton is campaigning for her second term at the White House and former President Bush is in rehab.
In an acclaimed performance as Tony Blair, Robert Lindsay masterfully portrays the tribulations of a leader struggling to come to terms with life without the trappings of power. At the peak of his political career, Blair was renowned for his courting of celebrities, artful manipulation of the media and a magnetic charisma. Now, racked with guilt over the Iraq war and obsessed with his plummeting popularity, the increasingly troubled Blair turns to Catholicism for strength.
When Brown is elected Labour Party leader, support across the country swells dramatically. Blair is terrified his legacy and place in history are in jeopardy and attempts to sabotage the Labour Party’s efforts to win the General Election by leaking an inflammatory e-mail, sent by Brown in 2006, to the media.
Meanwhile, the celebrities who once fawned over Blair now pay no attention. He’s ignored by his former American friends and visions of the Iraq War – especially those of dead civilians – haunt him. To compound his problems, the International Criminal Court is looking to bring War Crimes charges against the former UK and U.S. leaders – and now that Blair isn’t Prime Minister, he no longer has Diplomatic Immunity from prosecution. When the United Nations Security Council votes on the decision to bring Blair to court the resolution passes with all other UNSC members (including the United States) voting in favor.
The Trial of Tony Blair stars Robert Lindsay (GBH, My Family) as Tony Blair, Phoebe Nicholls (Shackleton, Maurice, Lewis) as Cherie Blair, Peter Mullan (Children of Men, Trainspotting, Shallow Grave) as Gordon Brown and Alexander Armstrong (Life Begins) as David Cameron, leader of the opposition. The film is written by Alistair Beaton and executive produced by David Aukin and Hal Vogel.
What The British Press Said:
“…successfully lodges some pretty devastating images and ideas in the brain. Blair is portrayed as obsessed with the idea of organising and protecting his public legacy as he faces life without direct political power.” The Observer
“This inspired satire… is the highlight of the week.” The Times
“The magnificent Lindsay portrayed Blair as a fundamentally decent man, blighted by delusions of grandeur and a stubborn refusal to waver from his own misguided moral rectitude.” The Scotsman
“The Trial of Tony Blair is all but essential viewing, being the chance to see Robert Lindsay expanding his impersonation of the prime minister.” Financial Times
