Latest news with #Profumo
Metro
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV fans binge 'outstanding' true story drama quietly added to Netflix
If you're hunting for a new true story drama to fill the time, Netflix has added a 60s-set British political scandal to its catalogue. The Trial of Christine Keeler, which first aired on BBC One in 2019, is very much what it says on the tin, with a late-stage courtroom drama in the six-parter. So who is Christine Keeler? Most will remember this major political uproar as the Profumo affair, centred around disgraced politician John Profumo. But this drama gives that story a fresh perspective: that of the woman at the eye of the media storm. Keeler, played by Sophie Cookson, is a 19-year-old model living in Notting Hill with her boyfriend Johnny (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) and having a whale of a time after a difficult childhood. That is, until she meets the osteopath to the stars Stephen Ward (James Norton), who knows everyone worth knowing (including, The Crown fans will remember, Prince Phillip). He spends most of his screen time calling Christine 'little baby'. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. It is Ward who introduces her to John Profumo, played by Ben Miles (again, to The Crown fans, the tragic Peter Townsend). Miles nails the creepiness of this older man – not to mention a secretary of state – leering over a teenage Christine when they first meet at a countryside pool party. Under Ward's watchful eye Christine and Profumo grow close and go on to have an affair. When a possible Russian national security risk is revealed by their relationship, it sets off a series of events that lead to public scandal. If The Crown comparisons weren't already obvious, this is definitely one fans of that Netflix mainstay will enjoy. It plays in the same paddling pool of the upper crust, but approaches it from the perspective of a woman who started life at the opposite end of the class ladder. The real-life Christine Keeler died in 2017, so sadly never got to see this adaptation of her life. Senior TV Reporter Rebecca Cook shares her take on the miniseries… Experiencing the facts of the Profumo affair against the maelstrom of modern politics – which we often go to TV for respite from – makes the scandal that dominated 1962 headlines now seem quaint. A politician who actually resigned after misconduct? Imagine. Said disgraced politician spending the rest of his chastened life devoted to charity work? It may as well be pure fiction. Real-life Christine was only a teen when her life turned upside down and the show goes some way to capturing how utterly disorientating that would be. Depending on what flavour of show you're after, you will either be fascinated or infuriated by James Norton's Ward character. He is an inscrutable man of contradictions, played purposefully enigmatic. The show never really decides whether he is a sinner or a saint in the crossfire. Netflix quietly added the show to its catalogue last week and viewers have already been tuning in to watch all six episodes. More Trending Taking to X to share their thoughts on the show, @pirwany wrote: 'Brilliant acting by Sophie Cookson in Trial of Christine Keeler in #Netflix drama.' @BolandCatherine wrote: 'Absolutely outstanding performance by James Norton in The Trial of Christine Keeler @netflix.' @SharonScot66875 chimed: 'That's my weekend binge catch you over the weekend. Seen The Trial of Christine Keeler on Netflix yet?' View More » The Trial of Christine Keeler is available to watch on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Fans thrilled as Netflix 'saves' beloved children's TV show after shock axe MORE: WWE fans furious as surprise return gets 'spoiled' hours before tonight's Raw MORE: Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones' close friendship 'blossoms into deeper connection'
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Christine Keeler shared a cell with Labour minister's gran after Profumo scandal
Seymour Platt says he is hopefully a Labour government could pave the way for a Royal Pardon that would clear his mum of her 1963 perjury conviction - especially after she shared a cell with a minister's grandmother The defiant son of Profumo scandal icon Christine Keeler has spent nearly 10 years fighting to prove his mother's jail sentence was a desperate bid to discredit her. Seymour Platt now hopes the Labour Party could finally help clear her name – particularly as she shared a cell with Health Minister Wes Streeting's grandmother. Seymour said: 'I try not to be political but I'm bloody delighted that it's a Labour Party and not the Tory Party, to be blunt. I'd love Labour to look at this with fresh eyes and be humane to correct an inhumane decision.' In 2022 Mr Streeting told how his grandfather William Crowley was an armed robber who was 'in and out of prison' most of his life and had known the Krays. He said Crowley 'took down' his grandmother Elizabeth 'Libby' Crowley, who was jailed for possession of a stolen radio and sent to HMP Holloway. She shared a cell with Christine and they became friends, sharing the belief they were both victims of the men in their lives. On BBC podcast Political Thinking with Nick Robinson, Mr Streeting branded Libby's conviction a 'real injustice'. He said: 'The tragedy of that makes me really angry, even now.' Referring to his grandmother's friendship with Christine, Mr Streeting added: 'Talk about chalk and cheese, you had this working-class East Ender in my nan Libby and then you had Christine Keeler of high society. But I remember my nan talking about Christine Keeler and feeling very strongly that she had been a victim of injustice and what had happened to her had been wrong. They stayed in contact for many years after she left prison.' Christine was just 21 when she was jailed for perjury in 1963. She had been attacked by stalker Aloysius 'Lucky' Gordon in April that year. But he successfully appealed after it was found she had told jurors two witnesses were not there. Her family argue there was no doubt the assault took place and that Christine lived in fear of Gordon. She had also allegedly been put under pressure by the witnesses. But they have so far been unable to overturn the conviction. Earlier this year justice watchdogs rejected an application to send her case to the Court of Appeal. The Criminal Cases Review Commission accepted she could not have 'secured a fair trial, particularly in view of the unprecedented level of prejudicial media coverage of her at the time'. But it said: 'In quashing the perjury conviction, the Court of Appeal would have a very limited ability to correct the public record in relation to [her] part in the Profumo affair.' Her family's last hope is to ask the Justice Secretary to recommend a pardon under the royal prerogative of mercy, which is only used in incredibly rare circumstances. Now Seymour has lodged an application for a Royal Pardon, which must be signed off by the King. An application can be considered when all other judicial routes have been exhausted, or new evidence demonstrates no offence was committed or the defendant did not commit the offence. Most importantly, the pardon can be handed down if 'the person was morally and technically innocent of the crime'. Solicitor James Harbridge, who helped compile the application, said: 'It's truly amazing this whole chain of events remain ongoing, even though Lucky Gordon admitted at his own trial that he slapped Christine. The jury took less than 15 minutes to convict him in June 1963, but here we are in May 2025, still seeking justice for the victim and her family.' Dr Felicity Gerry, a human rights barrister who is supporting Seymour, said: 'Every woman you speak to says her conviction was a terrible miscarriage of justice. She was exploited and sent to prison. She was 'slut-shamed' her whole life for the Profumo affair.' The Ministry of Justice said: 'We take miscarriages of justice very seriously and the Justice Secretary considers all applications for pardons.'
