Emily Atack has secured a significant new role that will see her appear across major UK channels and platforms alongside a James Bond star. The actress, best known for playing Charlotte Hinchcliffe in Channel 4's The Inbetweeners, is among the famous faces set to star in a new BBC court series titled Reputation.
About the Series
Created by Anya Reiss, known for Becoming Elizabeth, Reputation was announced earlier this month and will first air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The six-part series follows Elaine, a formidable lawyer who has built her career defending freedom of expression. She is assigned to defend global pop star Davina Knight after a provocative new song accuses her ex-husband Billy of abuse, sparking a public libel battle. The drama unfolds both inside and outside the courtroom, with social media PR machines acting as judge and jury.
Cast and Roles
According to The Sun, Atack, 36, currently starring in Disney+ series Rivals, will have a 'major role' in the series. She joins James Bond actress Naomie Harris, who plays lawyer Elaine, while Mad Men's Christina Hendricks portrays pop star Davina. The story sees Elaine risk her personal life as she fights for Davina, who appears determined to protect her reputation at all costs.
Lindsay Salt, the BBC's director of Drama, teased: 'Reputation is high-stakes, intoxicating and hugely entertaining, with a lot to say about the world. In Elaine and Davina, the brilliant Anya Reiss has created two lead characters for the ages, and we’re delighted to be working with her to bring this very public battle to BBC iPlayer and BBC One.'
International Distribution
It has been confirmed that Reputation will be 'distributed internationally' by Banijay Rights after its initial release on BBC One.
Atack's Recent Work
This news comes after Atack returned to screens as saucy seductress Sarah Stratton in Disney+ series Rivals, whose second series was released on May 15. She opened up about a complex dinner party scene that pushed her acting skills, explaining: 'You’ve got to know the lines inside out, know every bit of the rhythm of it.' The actress noted that the show 'did it all in one go', a new experience for her, and described a moment where her character 'breaks down' as genuine.
Atack recently reflected on playing 'flawed' women, describing 'promiscuous and naughty' Sarah as 'an absolute f***ing nightmare'. She told The Times: 'People in the past never wanted to admit that they identify with characters like Sarah as she's promiscuous and naughty. Now, characters like her, people are going, 'Why am I rooting for them?' I'm all for that. I want to play a flawed woman in a right bl**dy pickle.'
She also praised author Jilly Cooper, who wrote the 1988 book Rivals, for making readers 'understand why women had to use sexuality to get things they wanted'. Atack added: 'Sarah is such an amazing character to play and I feel so grateful that women like her are finally being written with complexity and nuance.'
Atack has kept her clothes on for part one of the first season but has confessed she wouldn't be averse to another nude shot, finding the process 'so liberating'. She told Sky News: 'Of course there are going to be people out there that take what you do and try and spin a negative narrative on it. I'm a woman, of course people are going to do that. But what I have to keep stressing to people is I'm exactly where I need to be.'
