Steve Coogan has launched a robust defence of the controversial film The Lost King, declaring he will not apologise for its portrayal of Leicester University's role in the discovery of Richard III's remains.
The actor, who co-wrote and starred in the 2022 drama, has thrown his full support behind Philippa Langley, the amateur historian whose relentless campaign led to the king's remains being found beneath a Leicester car park in 2012.
A Battle for Recognition
In a candid interview, Coogan expressed his frustration at what he describes as the university's attempts to "airbrush" Langley from the narrative of one of Britain's most significant archaeological finds.
"The establishment doesn't like it when ordinary people do extraordinary things," Coogan stated. "Philippa was dismissed and patronised at every turn, yet she was proved right. The film simply tells that truth."
University's Legal Challenge
The university previously threatened legal action over its depiction in the film, claiming it was portrayed as "sexist and elitist" and misrepresented the collaborative nature of the excavation.
However, Coogan remains unrepentant: "We didn't set out to make a documentary, but we did set out to tell Philippa's story. The university's reaction has, ironically, rather proved our point."
Langley's Ongoing Campaign
The controversy continues as Langley campaigns for a formal apology from the university and recognition of what she calls the "Looking For Richard Project" team's crucial contribution.
Coogan's unwavering support highlights the ongoing tension between institutional authority and individual determination in historical research. "Sometimes the experts get it wrong," he noted, "and sometimes the person with passion and determination gets it right."
