Well - the news is out. I can finally spill the biggest secret of my publishing career and reveal that Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandal will drop on 15th April 2022, (Good Friday or the start of Passover.)

The six-part series could not be more deliciously timed, as the themes of entitlement and rule-breaking unfurl here in the UK, at the heart of government.

And the press have been delighting in the parallels between real life and what Harper’s dubbed your “next big Netflix binge”.

“Could there be a more perfect series for the current political climate of distrust, scandal and intrigue?” asks Tatler, before pointing out that “Westminster scandals are de rigeur for the 2020s”.

Glamour magazine adds: “The show is set to give us all the gritty British political drama we could hope for, since it’s set in Westminster and explores the skeletons of a UK MP and the influence of power and privilege (sound familiar?)”

Netflix also released seven stills of the leads, including the above showing Sienna Miller and Rupert Friend transformed into a golden couple. Bizarrely, Squarespace tells me the images are too large to upload here so while I try to sort this out may I direct you to Netflix’s story here. The images include Old Etonian and Oxford-educated Tory politician James Whitehouse in the dock, played by Rupert Friend above, and my favourite ever character, Kate Woodcroft, brilliantly portrayed by Michelle Dockery. There’s also a first glimpse of Angela Regan, James’s defence lawyer, played with the utmost authority by Josette Simon; and of Olivia Lytton, the parliamentary aide with whom he has an affair, played by Naomi Scott.

Meanwhile, David E. Kelley and Melissa James Gibson kindly raved about their experience of writing the scripts. “Sex. Power. Privilege. Based on Sarah's addictive book, the show tackles entitlement, truth and the boundaries of consent. It's been a joy to partner with Netflix on this and see SJ bring it to such a rich and nuanced life.’

And Sienna Miller said she loved my writing! "I was a huge fan of the book and of my character Sophie. She is multi-faceted and facing the consequences of the decisions she has made in her life of privilege, that are catching up with her. I loved the arc and journey she embarks on and was thrilled to be part of such a talented cast and crew.”

I could not be more thrilled this was happening. And if you’re intrigued by the plot, you can always read Anatomy of a Scandal before it launches, or - if you want to avoid spoilers but to read another political thriller about power and judgement, preorder Reputation. Thank you!