Who's in series 3 of Sky's Urban Myths? | Broadcaster reveals stories from Donald Trump to Kenny Everett

Who's in series 3 of Sky's Urban Myths?

Broadcaster reveals stories from Donald Trump to Kenny Everett

Sky has announced the full-line up for the third series of its Urban Myths, fictionalising peculiar stories from culture and entertainment.

The stories tacked in the new series – which starts on April 10 are:

  • The day a burglar stumbled upon Grace Jones and artist Jean-Paul Goude’s New York apartment;
  • Madonna’s short but passionate relationship with Jean Michel Basquiat;
  • The infamous trial of Joan Collins vs. Random House;
  • How Paul McCartney was inspired to write Yesterday;
  • How Andy Warhol came to judge a cheerleading competition for Donald Trump;
  • The bizarre night out shared between Freddie Mercury and Princess Diana;
  • The unlikely decades-long friendship between Princess Margaret and Mick Jagger;
  • And the prolonged visit of Hans Christian Andersen to ‘friend’ Charles Dickens’ family home

The latter three stories had already been revealed.

Actors taking part include David Walliams, Hugh Dennis, Stephen Mangan, Mat Baynton, Inbetweeners star Emily Atack, who plays Debbie Harry, and 30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer, who plays Andy Warhol.

There are also roles for stand-ups including Rich Hall, Mike Wozniak,  David Mills (playing Warhol in a different film) and – as Chortle previously revealed – Richard Gadd.

Phil Edgar-Jones, director of Sky Arts, says: 'You might regard our Urban Myths series as a bit of "Fake History" but as all history is totally made up anyway we should regard these eight perfectly formed comedies as films of historical record, sort of.

‘This series is one of the jewels in the crown of Sky Arts and with totally true(ish) tales from everyone from McCartney and Madonna to Dickens and Trump - our loyal band of discerning viewers are in for a treat.’


EPISODE SYNOPISES

Princess Diana, Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett

About the well-documented night that Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett put a disguise on Princess Diana, and took her out for a night on the town, ending up at the Vauxhall Tavern gay club, which results in a fictionalised encounter with Gareth, a drag artist with a painful secret.

Starring Mathew Baynton (Kenny Everett), David Avery (Freddie Mercury), Richard Gadd (Gareth) and Sophie Rundle (Princess Diana). Written by Pete Jackson and directed by Sean Foley. Produced by Zoe Rocha at The Fyzz Facility.

Airing: April 10, 9pm

Donald Trump and Andy Warhol

In 1984, property magnate and entrepreneur Donald Trump bought an American football team. In an attempt to stir up some publicity, he held cheerleader auditions in the basement of Trump Tower with a panel of celebrity judges, including Andy Warhol. Though initially reluctant to take part, Warhol had some unfinished business with the tycoon, who had previously commissioned some artwork which he never paid for. So Warhol decided to use the opportunity to confront the future US president about the debt.

Starring Jack McBrayer (Andy Warhol), Anthony Atamanuik (Donald Trump), Natasia Demetriou (Agnieszka), Rich Hall (Jimmy Gould), Pearl Mackie (Kay), Paul Putner (Howard) and Mike Wozniak (Leroy Nieman). Written by Ben Boyer. Produced by Charlie Laurie and directed by Molly Manners. Clelia Mountford and Sharon Horgan are the Executive Producers for Merman.

Airing: April 17, 9pm

Charles Dickens and Hans Christian Anderson

Bleak House Guest tells the story of when Danish author and Charles Dickens superfan Hans Christian Andersen turned up unexpectedly on Charles and Catherine Dickens' doorstep, quickly proving himself to be the most impossible (and unshakeable) house-guest imaginable.

Starring Stephen Mangan as Charles Dickens, Ian Hart as Hans Christian Andersen and Monica Dolan as Charles Dickens’ long-suffering wife, Catherine. The episode is directed by Robert Delamere and is a collaboration between Slam Films and the National Film and Television School, written by the college’s alumna Jess Jackson and with a crew includes a substantial number of students and graduates.

Airing: April 24, 9pm

Joan Collins

This story revolves around the trial where Joan Collins went head-to-head with Random House in the mid-nineties. The author and actor was paid a large advance for her novel, which the publishers claimed was unpublishable, leading to one of the most extraordinary – and glamourous – trials of the decade.  

Starring Victoria Hamilton (Joan Collins), David Walliams (Monty, Joan’s boyfriend at the time), Mark Heap (Ken Burrows), Haydn Gwynne (Joni Evans) and Leo Wringer (judge). Written by David Walliams & Dawson Bros. Produced by King Bert Productions

Airing: May 1, 9pm

Grace Jones

This is the story of a burglar who stumbled into Grace Jones and artist Jean-Paul Goude’s New York apartment, armed with a very small gun. When he inadvertently chose to break into Grace and Jean-Paul’s home (with a little interruption from Debbie Harry and Andy Warhol), he ended up with more than he bargained, having to deal with these two flamboyant, volatile lovers. Veering from desperate and dangerous to awe-struck and bemused, this was an afternoon which none of the three were expecting, least of all the burglar.

Starring Gloria Onitiri (Grace Jones), Joshua McGuire (Jean Paul Goude), David Ajala (The Burglar), Emily Atack (Debbie Harry) and David Mills (Andy Warhol). Written by Grace Ofori-Attah. Produced by Tom Thostrup and Michael Livingstone at 2LE Media.

Airing: May 8, 9pm

Madonna and Basquait
Before she was famous, Madonna had a short but passionate and influential relationship with Jean Michel Basquiat, a pioneer and darling of the 1980s New York art scene. Basquiat was riding high while Madonna was a coat check girl, but she already had the self-belief to know she had something special. This myth takes place across one night on the New York subway, just before she infamously door-stepped music producer Seymour Stein at his hospital bedside where he signed her on the spot. This is a poignant moment, before Basquiat’s untimely death and just before Madonna broke through to "take over the motherfucking world".

Starring Sophie Kennedy Clark (Madonna), Calvin Demba (Basquiat), Paul Kaye (Tramp) and David Bamber (Drunk). Written by Sarah Solemani. Directed by Adam Wimpenny and Sarah Solemani. Produced by Adam Morane-Griffiths & Joe Hill at Wildcard Films. 

Airing: May 15, 9pm

Paul McCartney

Telling the incredible tale of how Paul McCartney dreamt the melody of Yesterday. With a dollop of creative licence from Men Behaving Badly writer Simon Nye, this is a heartfelt comedy drama showing how one of the greatest songs of the 20 century came to be.

A deeply affectionate look at one of the greatest musicians, and his partnership with John Lennon, examining the cracks that may have changed their musical partnership forever.

Starring Tom Connor (Paul McCartney), James Coward (John Lennon), Joran Scowen (Ringo Starr), Simon Goron (George Harrison), Rosie Day (Jane Asher) and Hugh Dennis (Richard Asher).   Written by Simon Nye, produced by Spelthorne Community Television and directed by Simon Delaney.

Airing: May 22, 9pm

Mick Jagger and Princess Margaret

Examining the decades-long friendship between Mick Jagger and Princess Margaret, we find out that Tony Blair submitted Jagger’s name for the Queen’s Honours’ List annually, from 1997 to 2002. However, every year the Queen turned him down. This comic tale travels from London to the Caribbean and dives head-first into the worlds of rock and royalty to ponder exactly why that was.

Starring Jamie Campbell Bower (Mick Jagger), Kelly MacDonald (Princess Margaret). Written by Neil Forsyth. Directed by Ben Palmer. Produced by Jane Bell at Happy Tramp.

Airing: May 29, 9pm

Published: 15 Mar 2019

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