The full trailer for Brexit: The Uncivil War has finally landed, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings, the man behind the UK’s Vote Leave campaign.
The two-hour drama will follow the story of how the Leave campaign led to Britain’s historic decision to leave the EU, as influenced by Cummings’ strategy plan.
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Since the trailer dropped, the Channel 4 and HBO project has been greeted with a mixed reaction on social media.
While some have praised the trailer and the importance of the subject matter, others have argued that it’s far too early to be dramatising real-life events that are still playing out, due to the serious implications that could have.
“Shoddy timing,” wrote one Twitter user. “We are facing the very real possibility of another general election or referendum on Brexit. I am a big advocate of storytelling, but I don’t condone it when it could get in the way of due process. Would it have hurt you to delay this by a couple of years?!”
Dear HBO – it’s a bit irresponsible to release a disaster movie when we’re still in the middle of the disaster.
Regards,
The U.K.#BrexitHBO
— Scott Free (@shrimperbhoy) December 15, 2018
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This might be amazingly acted etc but it should not exist right now! This is still happening! The very definition of, too soon!
— Charlie (@333Charlie333) December 14, 2018
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. What were you thinking! This, right now?
— Delfie (@DDavighi) December 15, 2018
This is not cool. Or ethically right at the moment.
— will jennings (@willjennings80) December 15, 2018
However, others were more optimistic, and defended the filmmakers’ right to produce something so politically topical, arguing that it would likely “get people talking”.
What if it helps turn the tide of discussion? You guys haven’t left yet. I’m still hoping it remains that way!
— Robert Samuel White (@rswfire) December 15, 2018
No need to worry. It’s @HBO. There will be sequels to tell the rest of the story. I highly doubt Benedict Cumberbatch would sell out his own country to play a role that would make #brexit WORSE for the U.K. people.
— ??M.D. Haddad?️? (@MDHaddad17) December 15, 2018
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HBO & #Channel4 have obviously taken what everyone knows & created something. Don’t fudge it up boys. We know the #BREXIT vote was a mess. Part of me thinks this shouldn’t have been made but I like ‘controversial’… So I’ll see what it’s about come release day.
— James Vincent ?️???????? (@thisisjmx) December 15, 2018
The joy of art & theatre is that they mirror the world around us. This #BrexitHBO might feel close to the bone, but let’s see it as it is. A piece of creative work, with some of our finest British actors involved inc #BenedictCumberbatch Yes-it gets people talking, but so what.
— Ali Clarke (@ALICECLARKE2) December 16, 2018
In response, Brexit: The Uncivil War‘s writer James Graham took to Twitter to write: “A lot have seen the trailer for our Brexit film & I can’t wait to engage reasonably to curious Q’s once it’s actually been seen.
“Until then, abusive language & misinformation should never intimidate writers/artists working on politically sensitive themes.”
A lot have seen the trailer for our Brexit film & I can’t wait to engage reasonably to curious Q’s once it’s actually been seen. Until then, abusive language & misinformation should never intimidate writers/artists working on politically sensitive themeshttps://t.co/6NCYO6aTkp
— James Graham (@mrJamesGraham) December 15, 2018
Earlier this year, an “early draft” of the drama’s script was stolen and leaked online.
Graham said at the time: “Disappointingly a very early draft of my Brexit TV drama was stolen and leaked to various people to read & now comment online. My fellow writers on here will know what first drafts are like as you privately play around & test ideas. It is not the script we’re shooting.”
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Brexit: The Uncivil War will air on Channel 4 in 2019.
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