Berkshire


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<p>Did you catch the first episode of&nbsp;<em>This England</em>&nbsp;this week? This six-part drama covers the emergence of Covid, the flight to contain it, Boris Johnson’s hospitalisation, and the birth of Wilfred, his son with partner Carrie Symonds – but we’re all talking about the uncanny transformation of Sir Kenneth Branagh into the the man who at one point graced our TV screens daily for his 5pm briefing.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Boris-Kenneth-.jpg" alt="Kenneth Brannagh and Boris Johnson" class="wp-image-47185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Boris-Kenneth-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Boris-Kenneth--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Boris-Kenneth--400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Boris-Kenneth--768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Boris-Kenneth--788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image:&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.boris-johnson.org.uk/boris-johnson" target="_blank">boris-johnson.org.uk</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s no doubt that he looks the part, but do you think Sir Kenneth has the classic BoJo mannerism in hand? Drop us your thoughts in the comments!</p>



<p>Playing politicians is always a tall order – and with that in mind, here’s our pick of the actors who absolutely nailed it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CHRISTIAN BALE AS DICK CHENEY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dick.jpg" alt="Dick Cheney" class="wp-image-47184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dick.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dick-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dick-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dick-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dick-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you didn’t know that it was Christian Bale in 2018’s darkly satirical comedy about Dick Cheney’s rise to prominence, you certainly wouldn’t guess.&nbsp;<em>Vice&nbsp;</em>delivers a frighteningly plausible impersonation of one of the most unpopular politicians in the history of the US. This writer personally had to triple check the above wasn’t just two pictures of Dick Cheney.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GILLIAN ANDERSON AS MARGARET THATCHER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/2-9.jpg" alt="Margaret Thatcher and Gillian Anderson" class="wp-image-47183" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/2-9.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/2-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/2-9-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/2-9-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/2-9-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Full hair poof and all. Anderson was uncannily good at Thatcher’s mannerisms in Netflix’s smash hit&nbsp;<em>The Crown</em>&nbsp;– slight tilt of the head, deep ponderous voice, constant carrying of handbag. And — as we’ve come to expect — the show’s attention to costume detail is impressive, with Anderson clad in tailored suits, pussy bows and every shade of blue. It’s Tory power dressing to a Mrs T.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MORGAN FREEMAN AS NELSON MANDELA</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/freemanmandela.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47182" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/freemanmandela.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/freemanmandela-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/freemanmandela-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/freemanmandela-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/freemanmandela-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image: @nelsonmandelafoundationsa</figcaption></figure>



<p>The 2009 film&nbsp;<em>Invictus&nbsp;</em>, which tells the story of the 1995 rugby World Cup in post-apartheid South Africa, saw Morgan Freeman delivering a careful and astute impersonation of Mandela, despite their distinct difference in facial features.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GARY OLDMAN AS WINSTON CHURCHILL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/5-2.jpg" alt="Winston Churchill and Gary Oldman" class="wp-image-47181" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/5-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/5-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/5-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/5-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/5-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>2017’s&nbsp;<em>Darkest Hour&nbsp;</em>had Gary Oldman chewing on his cigar and grumbling with all the iconic character of Churchill himself. He looks&nbsp;<em>astonishingly&nbsp;</em>different&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/gary_oldman_oscar_2.jpg" target="_blank">in real life</a>, and carries himself in a very different stance, so it’s no wonder he won an Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for the role.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ALAN RICKMAN AS RONALD REAGAN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Reagan.jpg" alt="ALAN RICKMAN AS RONALD REAGAN " class="wp-image-47180" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Reagan.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Reagan-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Reagan-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Reagan-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Reagan-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Though one of a series of presidents seen in 2013’s much-aclaimed&nbsp;<em>The Butler,&nbsp;</em>Alan Rickman’s Ronald Reagan stands out from the bunch. He’s hardly recognisable as the same man we adored in&nbsp;<em>Harry Potter&nbsp;</em>and<em>&nbsp;Love Actually</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JASON WATKINS AS HAROLD WILSON</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Harold-Wilson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47179" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Harold-Wilson.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Harold-Wilson-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Harold-Wilson-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Harold-Wilson-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/Harold-Wilson-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another gem from&nbsp;<em>The Crown,&nbsp;</em>Jason Watkins made a highly believable Harold Wilson — bringing the 60s and 70s Prime Minister into our 21st century sitting rooms with uncanny effect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MICHAEL SHEEN AS TONY BLAIR</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/blairsheen.jpg" alt="Michael Sheen as Tony Blair" class="wp-image-47178" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/blairsheen.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/blairsheen-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/blairsheen-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/blairsheen-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/blairsheen-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image:&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlX2_E1lJzF/" target="_blank">@institutegc</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>You know it’s a good impersonation when you’re cast in the same role not once, not twice, but three times. 2003’s&nbsp;<em>The Deal,</em>&nbsp;2006’s&nbsp;<em>The Queen</em>, and 2010’s&nbsp;<em>The Special Relationship</em>&nbsp;all saw Michael Sheen impressing viewers with his studied portrayal of Tony Blair’s voice and movements. He’s since made quite a name for himself as an impersonator, (see Chris Tarrant in ITV’s&nbsp;<em>Quiz</em>), but Tony Blair remains one of the most iconic. Sheen even said that, having spent so much time getting into Blair’s head, to this day he sees a little of himself in the politician.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHO WOULD THEY CHOOSE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dream-1.jpg" alt="PUTIN AND SCHWARZENEGGER" class="wp-image-47177" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dream-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dream-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dream-1-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dream-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/01/dream-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Image:&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://schwarzenegger.com/fitness" target="_blank">schwarzenegger.com</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Given the choice, who would the politicians choose? They can’t all have George Clooney or Angelina Jolie, so it was with some surprise, then, that David Cameron picked Michael Sheen, saying he can play anybody. Hardly original – we think a better choice would be Hugh Bonneville, who would nail that considered body language and Etonian charm.</p>



<p>Leonardo DiCaprio has said he likes the idea of playing Vladimir Putin, but we reckon the Russian President would plump for Arnold Schwarzenegger, or perhaps Tom Hardy. Both have the right pec credentials for the bare-chested horse riding scenes that would, no doubt, be prolific in his biopic.</p>



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Actors playing politicians: who did it best?

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