Channel 4 News has landed a major coup in booking Prince Andrew interviewer Emily Maitlis to head up its general election coverage.
Maitlis, who was portrayed by Gillian Anderson in Netflix movie Scoop about the notorious interview, will present alongside regular helmer Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
Channel 4 News has focused on Britain’s biggest podcasts by booking Maitlis, who co-hosts smash hit The News Agents, along with landing Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, who present the popular Rest is Politics pod, as contributors.
The pair will bring “inimitable analysis,” according to Channel 4. The “eclectic line-up” will also feature some of the cast of Gogglebox, the network’s second most popular show. Cathy Newman will present from campaign HQs for the ruling Conservative and opposition Labour parties. Sports presenter CLare Balding will front the data coverage.
“Delighted to be involved with this election night and it’s brilliant cast of people,” said Maitlis. “I cannot wait.”
Channel 4 Head of News Louisa Compton said: “I am delighted we have managed to bring together such a stellar line up of some of the country’s leading political presenters and commentators ensuring Channel 4 is going to be the go-to destination for first class analysis on Election Night.”
Maitlis, whose stock has risen even further since the Prince Andrew movie and who is exec producing a separate Amazon TV series on the interview starring Ruth Wilson, is a big drawer. She worked for the BBC for decades, hosting Newsnight amongst other shows, but left delivering veiled critiques aimed at the corporation during her Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart in 2022. Global’s The News Agents, which she co-hosts with another ex-BBC supremo, Jon Sopel, has since become one of the UK’s most popular podcasts.
ITN Productions produces Channel 4 News’ coverage.
Channel 4 is the first national broadcaster to set out its general election stall. The election doesn’t technically have a date but has to take place before January 28 2025. Broadly, political commentators believe it is most likely to happen in the fall of this year. Dozens of elections are taking place around the world this year, with the world’s most populous country, India, sending voters to the polls over the next few weeks.