Claire Foy has become synonymous with excellent historical dramas, thanks to her take on Anne Boleyn in the BBC’s Wolf Hall and her award-winning turn as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown.

Now, the actor has decided to shine a light on Margaret, Duchess of Argyll – one of the most (unfairly) maligned women in modern history – in BBC One and Amazon Studios’ A Very British Scandal.

After months of eagerly awaiting a confirmed release date, we have one: the first episode of A Very British Scandal will be airing on BBC One on Boxing Day (Sunday 26 December) at 9pm. Now, we also finally have a trailer and trust us, it’s worth the wait. It’s steamy, tense and, dare we say, comedic? Foy is clearly full of smart quips in this new role and we’re loving it.

Watch the brand new trailer here:

What is the plot of A Very English Scandal?

Written by Sarah Phelps (oh she of Dublin Murders fame), A Very British Scandal focuses on the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, one of the most notorious, extraordinary and brutal legal cases of the 20th century.

“Famed for her charisma, beauty and style, Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, dominated the front pages as a divorce featuring accusations of forgery, theft, violence, drug-taking, secret recording, bribery and an explicit polaroid picture all played out in the white-hot glare of the 1960s media,” reads the official synopsis.

“A Very British Scandal turns this scandal inside out in order to explore the social and political climate of post-war Britain, looking at attitudes towards women, and asking whether institutional misogyny was widespread at the time.

“As her contemporaries, the press, and the judiciary sought to vilify her, Margaret kept her head held high with bravery and resilience, refusing to go quietly as she was betrayed by her friends and publicly shamed by a society that revelled in her fall from grace.”

Phelps says the special three-parter will explore the “institutional misogyny” the Duchess suffered.

Who will star in A Very British Scandal?

Foy will, as mentioned, take on the role of Margaret, Duchess of Argyll. WandaVision and Wimbledon actor Paul Bettany, meanwhile, will star opposite her as the Duke of Argyll. Julia Davis (Nighty Night, Gavin & Stacey) will star as Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.

Joining the limited series, written by Sarah Phelps (The Pale Horse, Dublin Murders), are: Amanda Drew (The Trial of Christine Keeler, Trust), Richard McCabe (Poldark), Phoebe Nicholls (The Elephant Man), Camilla Rutherford (Phantom Thread), Timothy Renouf (Afterlife of the Party), Sophia Myles (A Discovery of Witches, Spooks), Sophie Ward (The Moonstone), Tim Steed (The Death of Stalin, Cruella), and Katherine Manners (Press, War & Peace).

Richard Goulding (The Crown, The Murders at White House Farm), Jonathan Aris (Sherlock, The Night Manager), Oliver Chris (Trying, King Charles III), Nicholas Rowe (Roadkill, Young Sherlock Holmes), and Miles Jupp (The Durrells) will also star.

Is there a trailer for A Very British Scandal?

A Very British Scandal has yet to begin filming, but we will be sure to bring you a trailer just as soon as one becomes available.

What are people saying about A Very British Scandal?

“Writing the story of Margaret’s life and the events leading up to and including her divorce from the Duke has been a passion project of mine since 1993 when I first heard her name and started learning about her,” Phelps has said of the project.

“I felt very strongly that she’d been punished for being a woman, for being visible, for refusing to back down, be a good girl and go quietly. This drama is my tribute to her.”

Foy added: “I’m so excited to work with Anne, Sarah and Paul on this extraordinary project, and to explore through this story, how often shame, judgement and controversy surrounds a woman’s sexuality.”

And Bettany has said: “I’m delighted to be working with the remarkable Claire Foy to tell the fascinating and scandalous story of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and their very complicated lives.

“I’m also extremely happy to get the chance to once again be working with the wonderful teams at the BBC and Amazon Studios.”

When will A Very British Scandal become available for streaming?

The three-episode series will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK on Boxing Day (Sunday 26 December) at 9pm. Each hour-long episode will then air consecutively at 9pm on 27 and 28 December.

Anyone else counting down the days?

A Very British Scandal will air on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 26 December.

Images: BBC