What You Need to Know About Netflix's "Anatomy of a Scandal": Cast, Plot Details, and Release Date

David E. Kelley, the creator of the Emmy Award-winning HBO drama series Big Little Lies, has his sights set on adapting another novel into a drama series, this time for Netflix, with the novel in question being Sarah Vaughan's 2017 novel Anatomy of a Scandal. 

Kelley will be joined by Melissa James Gibson, who previously worked for Netflix as showrunner in the political thriller House of Cards.     

The anthology drama series has been described by Netflix as “an insightful and suspenseful series about sexual consent and privilege set in London”. Kelley will be joined by 

With a star-studded cast and showrunners, the anthology series is one of the most anticipated series of the year.

Here is what we know about the upcoming drama series so far:

What is the Plot of Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal?

The first season of the anthology drama series will be a direct adaptation of the eponymous 2014 novel by Sarah Vaughn.

The series is set in Westminster, London, and follows the turmoil within the Whitehouse family when James, a prominent politician, is accused of sexual assault by his political aide, Olivia Lytton. 

James' wife, Sophie, engages in a failing battle to prove her husband's innocence, especially when faced with the no-nonsense prosecutor Kate Woodcroft QC, determined to bring down James Whitehouse.

Who Has Been Confirmed for Anatomy of a Scandal?  

Anatomy of a Scandal has already cast actors to play the three central roles. 

Rupert Friend has been confirmed in the role of James Whitehouse. The Emmy Award-nominated actor of Showtime's Homeland will play the accused politician. 

Joining Rupert will be Sienna Miller as Sophie Whitehouse, the wife of James Whitehouse and the mother of their two children. The Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated actress has been seen in movies like The Edge of Love, The Girl, and American Sniper.

Michelle Dockery will play Kate Woodcroft QC, a no-nonsense criminal barrister specializing in high-profile sexual assault cases. Dockery was last seen on television opposite Chris Evans in the Apple TV+ crime-drama series Defending Jacob and is perhaps most known as Lady Mary on ITV's Downton Abbey.   

Naomi Scott, of the live-action Aladdin fame, has been confirmed to play Olivia Lytton, the political aide to James Whitehouse and the alleged victim of sexual abuse at Whitehouse's hands.     

Newcomer Riyonn Farsad has been announced in the role of Kate's Aide.              

What Is The Official Release Date For Anatomy of a Scandal?

The anthology series is still in production and an official release date has not yet been confirmed. 

However, the series is expected to be available to stream on Netflix sometime in 2021. The first season will consist of six episodes, all one-hour long.