With a current working title of Weinstein, the film promises to be the “definitive take on the Weinstein scandal”, according to BBC commissioner Tom McDonald, who also said: “As well as revealing the inside story of the past few months in minute detail, it will also look to the past to tell the story of abuses of power within Hollywood since its very origins and chart the rise of Harvey Weinstein himself over many decades.”

MacFarlane also directed award-winning Channel 4 documentary Charlie Hebdo: Three Days That Shook Paris, as well as an episode of Netflix’s popular Captive series. BBC Two controller Patrick Holland said: “Ursula is a brilliant film-maker and is perfectly placed to make the definitive documentary, piecing together the story of just how he abused his power and position.” He described the breaking of silence over Harvey Weinstein as a “watershed moment for the creative industries and for wider societies”.

The film will be produced by Oscar-winning Simon Chinn, whose many successful documentaries include Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie, as well as Man on Wire and Searching for Sugar Man. It is expected to feature interviews with some of Weinstein’s accusers, including Rose McGowan, Asia Argento, Salma Hayek, and Paz de la Huerta. 

More than 90 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct; the BBC reported that in November New York police said they had a viable case against him. It’s not known yet when the film will be released, but updates can be found on BBC News’s Twitter page.

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Image: Rex Features