Comedian and actor Steve Coogan has broken his silence following his defeat in a high-profile defamation case, declaring he remains "perfectly happy" with his decision to portray a controversial academic in the Richard III film The Lost King.
No Regrets Despite Legal Defeat
In his first interview since losing the legal battle, Coogan insisted he would make the same choices again, despite the court ruling against him. The case centred on his portrayal of University of Leicester academic Richard Taylor in the 2022 film about Philippa Langley's quest to find King Richard III's remains.
"I'm perfectly happy with what I did," Coogan stated emphatically. "I'd do it all again tomorrow."
The Controversial Portrayal
The legal dispute arose from Coogan's depiction of Taylor as "disingenuous" and "weaselly" in the film that chronicled Langley's remarkable discovery of the medieval king's skeleton beneath a Leicester car park in 2012. Taylor, formerly the university's deputy registrar, claimed the portrayal damaged his reputation and career.
Coogan, who co-wrote and starred in the film, defended the creative decisions made during production. The actor, best known for his Alan Partridge character, argued that certain dramatic liberties were necessary to tell a compelling story about one of British history's most significant archaeological finds.
A Costly Victory for the Academic
While Taylor ultimately won his case, the victory came at a substantial financial cost. The court heard that his legal fees significantly exceeded the damages awarded, raising questions about the practical value of pursuing such litigation.
Coogan appeared unfazed by the legal outcome, suggesting that the principles behind his creative choices outweighed the court's decision. His defiant stance highlights the ongoing tension between historical accuracy and artistic interpretation in biographical filmmaking.
The Legacy of The Lost King
The film, directed by Stephen Frears, tells the extraordinary true story of how Philippa Langley, despite having no formal archaeological training, persevered against academic scepticism to locate the long-lost monarch's remains. The discovery made international headlines and transformed understanding of one of England's most controversial kings.
Despite the legal controversy, Coogan's comments suggest he believes the film's contribution to popularising this remarkable piece of British history justifies the creative approach taken by the filmmakers.
