Stonehouse, the new true crime series debuting on BritBox, tells the bizarre story of John Stonehouse, a member of the British Parliament in the 1970s. Most true crime stories feature murder, but Stonehouse’s story is about a man whose desire for success, fame, and power turned him into a spy who faked his own death. It sounds serious, but Stonehouse is actually a hilarious story that has disturbing parallels to our modern politics. With a stellar cast of actors and top-notch creators, this is a unique three-episode limited series worth checking out (read our review).
I got the chance to discuss Stonehouse with the cast and creators of the series. Writer John Preston (A Very British Scandal) talked to me about the inspiration for the story and how he adapted it when the stars were cast. Director John S. Baird talked about the approach to telling this insane story in a realistic and funny way. Kevin McNally, best known for his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, talked about playing Prime Minister Harold Wilson for the second time. Newcomer Emer Heatley talked about sharing the screen with so many talented actors. Star Matthew Macfadyen talked about approaching this role, how it differs from Succession, and what it was like playing a married couple with his real-life wife, Keeley Hawes. Check out the full interviews in the embed above.
Stonehouse is now streaming on BritBox.