Steve Coogan and Dame Harriet Walter will star as journalist Brian Walden and the former PM Margaret Thatcher. 

With the General Election in full swing, Channel 4 have announced a new drama looking back at a pivotal moment in political history.

Brian and Margaret comes from writer James Graham (Sherwood) and director Stephen Frears (A Very English Scandal). The two-part drama chronicles the final television interview between former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the journalist Brian Walden.

Steve Coogan (The Reckoning) will star as Brian Walden, with Harriet Walter (Succession) taking on the role of Margaret Thatcher.

Here’s the synopsis for Bryan and Margaret

1989. When two old friends, the ‘much feared inquisitor’, Brian Walden (Steve Coogan), and ‘Iron Lady’ Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher (Harriet Walter), come together for their last ever TV interview, little do they realise they’re about to embark on one of the most infamous political exchanges of all time. The 45-minute showdown became a national talking point and set in train a series of events that ended with Margaret’s resignation.

Afterwards, they never spoke again…

Writer James Graham says:

“I’m beyond excited to be working with this incredible world-class team on a story brought to us by Rob Burley from his book ‘Why Is This Lying B*stard Lying To Me’. As we enter another election, and wrestle with the importance and effectiveness of the ‘political interview’, it’s a chance to bring to life the intimate and complicated relationship between Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher – interrogator, and Prime Minister. An epic one of love and betrayal, and I think an audience will be surprised by a lot of it. I know I was.”

Steve Coogan says:

“It’s great to be telling a story from the era of the sorely missed forensic interview – two giants of their time locking horns to determine the future of Britain. To act opposite Harriet Walter with a script by James Graham directed by Stephen Frears is a challenge of the very best kind!”

Harriet Walter says:

“I have to travel a great distance to reach Maggie Thatcher but with James’s brilliant script, Stephen Frears to guide me and Steve Coogan to accompany me I have the dream team to help me achieve it.”

Brian and Margaret cones from Baby Cow Productions, one of BBC Studios’ owned production labels, for Channel 4. Executive producers are Sarah Monteith, Delyth Scudamore and Rupert Majendie. The producer is Dan Winch.

We’ll keep you posted on Brian and Margaret as further details emerge.