Former Prime Minister’s life story to be told in three biopic dramas as TV giants go to war over rights
THREE telly biopics are being made about former PM Margaret Thatcher — as competition hots up between TV broadcasters and streamers.
Big hitters such as Netflix or Prime Video are likely to snap up one of two dramas about The Iron Lady which are in the early stages of development.
But they are likely to be beaten in the race to the screen by Channel 4’s take on Mrs T, which has already started filming with The Crown’s Dame Harriet Walter in the lead role.
A TV insider said: “This is just the latest in a growing number of dramas with the same subject matter which are being made by TV rivals.
“Things are becoming so competitive they are making direct bids to outdo one another with essentially the same stories.
Prime Video and Netflix have both made dramas about Prince Andrew’s car crash Newsnight interview, while the BBC and Sky are both making shows about the Lockerbie terrorist bombing.
“But never before have three biopics been in development at the same time. All three shows can’t escape being compared to one another.”
Channel 4 revealed this month it is making Brian and Margaret — focusing on the relationship between journalist Brian Walden and Maggie, who was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.
The two other dramas look set to be picked up by streamers.
Mammoth Screen, which created the BBC’s Poldark, has been working on one since last year.
The other is being developed with a top writer said to be backing it.
However, neither is likely to be available to view until 2025.