Emily Maitlis, who conducted the notorious Prince Andrew Newsnight interview about the former royal’s links with Jeffrey Epstein, is fronting a Channel 4 documentary about the Epstein files.
The Epstein Files [working title] will feature first-hand testimony from survivors and “forensic analysis of the documents, networks and powerful individuals connected to Epstein’s decades-long criminal operation,” according to Channel 4.
Maitlis, who presents top-rated podcast The News Agents, will be seeking to answer the question of how Epstein got away with his crimes for so long.
The Epstein Files have dominated the news agenda these past few months. Maitlis interviewed then-Prince Andrew about his links to the American financier in 2019, an interview that became a global humiliation for now-Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Two dramas were made about the interview, one in which Maitlis was played by Gillian Anderson and the other Ruth Wilson. Maitlis exec produced the latter for Amazon.
Since the interview, Andrew has been stripped of his royal titles but still has questions to answer over Epstein links. He was recently arrested and campaigners are urging that he appear in front of Congress.
“I’ve spent my career covering stories that those in power would rather we didn’t,” said Maitlis. “The Epstein case is that story writ large — a web of wealth, influence and impunity that destroyed lives and was shielded by institutions we are supposed to trust. The survivors have waited long enough. I am determined that this series will provide answers, not just raise more questions.”
All3Media-backed Lion TV is producing the doc in association with All3Media International. Daniel Pearl is EP with Catey Sexton as director. Show is commissioned by Louisa Compton, Head of News, Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport at Channel 4 and Adam Vandermark, Commissioning Editor, News and Current Affairs. All3Media will handle international distribution.