Channel 4 has announced a new drama about the fantastically-named Wagatha Christie trial between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy.
In scenes straight out of outsized noughties drama Footballers’ Wives, the two-part series will explore the aftermath of a now-infamous social media post by Rooney that accused Vardy of selling stories about her private life. Based on court transcripts, it’s a vérité account of the loopiest trial of the century.
Here’s all you need to know about Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama.
When will it air on TV?
Vardy v Rooney will air on Channel 4 later this year. Channel 4 is yet to announce an exact date.
The Synopsis reads: ‘The two-part film recreates the high drama, high-stakes High Court defamation case that followed, a case that had a huge impact on the lives of the two women at its heart and catapulted the two sparring legal teams into the spotlight, where much like Rooney and Vardy, their every move in the courtroom was dissected and scrutinised in the press.’
It could be the ultimate festive treat for Popbitch subscribers.
Who is in the cast?
Harry Potter actress Natalia Tena will portray Vardy, with This Is England’s Chanel Cresswell starring as play Rooney.
Michael Sheen will be lending his stirring oratory to the role of Rooney’s barrister, David Sherborne. It’ll be the latest in a long and stellar line of real-life figures he’s played, that also includes Tony Blair and Chris Tarrant.
Simon Coury will portray Vardy’s barrister, Hugh Tomlinson. Rooney’s husband Wayne will be played by Dion Lloyd and Jamie Vardy by Márton Nagyszokolyai.
What happened in the trial?
So… *deep breath*... Coleen Rooney – wife of footballer Wayne – found out that the content of her private Instagram account was mysteriously making its way into tabloid newspapers.
With suspicions that the culprit was Rebekah Vardy – wife of footballer Jamie – Rooney conducted a sting operation via her social media, posting content that was only visible to Vardy.
When Rooney’s fabricated stories appeared in newspapers, she accused Vardy in a now infamous viral Instagram post that has spawned countless memes.
A lengthy and expensive court battle ensued as Vardy subsequently sued Rooney for libel. The trial sparked a media frenzy. Vardy lost, but still denies the allegations.
Are there more ‘Wagatha Christie’ shows in the pipeline?
Fans of the gripping tabloid drama have a lot to look forward to, with several shows in the pipeline.
After a huge bidding war, Disney+ landed the rights to a three-part documentary series about the court battle and the events prior, with ‘exclusive access’ to Coleen Rooney.
‘In a story for our times, Wagatha Christie will reveal how fiercely determined and resilient Coleen had to be in order to protect her family from the challenges presented by the traditional and social media landscapes,’ reads Disney’s synopsis.
The BBC is also working on its own documentary with Curious Films, a production company that has previously made films on Amy Winehouse, Caroline Flack, and Charlotte Church.