New royal drama may explore Angela Kelly’s close friendship with the Queen
Fox Searchlight has commissioned *Trouble*, a drama about the friendship between the late Queen Elizabeth II and her personal dresser, Angela Kelly. The project matters because dramatisation may give its creators more freedom to depict Kelly’s life and royal relationships despite the confidentiality agreement she signed while in royal service.
Bafta-winning screenwriter Jeremy Brock is writing the original screenplay; he previously wrote *A Very Royal Scandal* about Prince Andrew’s interview with Emily Maitlis. Kelly, 68, was born in Liverpool and became a trusted aide who helped with the Queen’s clothes, hair and shoes, though some courtiers reportedly found her forceful and nicknamed her “AK-47”. The article does not provide a release date or further production details.
- Fox Searchlight has commissioned a drama called *Trouble*.
- It centres on Angela Kelly’s friendship with Queen Elizabeth II.
- Jeremy Brock, writer of *A Very Royal Scandal*, is scripting it.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A dramatisation could offer a thoughtful account of a close working friendship that has received little public attention, and explore Kelly’s role in the Queen’s daily life. Fiction can also give creators room to interpret private relationships while making clear that it is a dramatic work rather than a factual record.
The case against
Because Kelly signed a confidentiality agreement, using a drama to portray private royal relationships could be seen as sidestepping the expectation of discretion that came with her role. Viewers may also mistake invented scenes for established fact, potentially shaping perceptions of Kelly and the late Queen without their ability to respond.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “RICHARD EDEN: Why new drama about late Queen’s aide Angela will be Trouble”.