Channel 4 commissions Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama

25 July 2022

Channel 4 has commissioned Chalkboard to create a dramatic reconstruction of the Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney court case that gripped the nation this year.

Dubbed the #WagathaChristie case when it first unfolded on social media in 2019, this two-part drama-documentary will recreate the high court defamation case that followed.  Using the real court transcripts verbatim, Vardy v Rooney: A Courtroom Drama will bring viewers all of the incredible and unbelievable moments from a case that was not allowed to be televised.

Scenes from the courtroom will be juxtaposed with analysis from the media and on social media, while actors will play the parts of the main protagonists including Rebekah Vardy, Coleen Rooney, Wayne Rooney, and Jamie Vardy.

Tom Popay, Creative Director at Chalkboard said, “The #WagathaChristie phenomenon has become one of the most talked about moments in the history of social media. The court case that followed has captivated the entire nation but very few people actually got to see what happened inside the courtroom. We're excited to bring the trial to life in such a unique way and we're hoping we can get to the bottom of how this case fascinated and amazed so many.”

Oonagh Kearney who is directing said, “This trial utterly captivated the public with its daily feed of entertaining exchanges and jaw-dropping reveals. But behind this, is a story of two women under constant public scrutiny, fighting for their reputations. It's a privilege to work with Channel 4, writer Chris Atkins and the fantastic Chalkboard team to peel back the layers of this story and reveal the beating hearts within.”

Alf Lawrie, Head of Factual Entertainment, Channel 4 said, “More outlandish than a storyline from Footballers Wives, this High Court case gripped the nation. Now, using court transcripts, this factual dramatisation will allow viewers to see for themselves the courtroom drama in one of the most infamous trials of recent times, bringing to life a case that encapsulated so much about the British cultural landscape in the 21st century.”

Tim Hancock, commissioning editor, Channel 4 said, “The court transcripts are utterly compelling and give a deep insight into the relationship between celebrities and the media, as well as showing how far some people will go to protect their reputation.

The factual drama was commissioned for Channel 4 by commissioning editor Tim Hancock with Head of Factual Entertainment, Alf Lawrie. Tom Popay is Executive Producer for Chalkboard, with Oonagh Kearney directing and Chris Atkins writing.

ENDS

About Chalkboard TV (www.chalkboardtv.com)
Chalkboard TV was founded in 2013 and is headed by MD Mike Benson and Creative Director Tom Popay. The company has established a reputation for producing unique, multi-genre content for both the UK and international market, winning Best Small Indie at the 2020 Edinburgh TV Awards. Recent UK programming include C4 high stakes quiz show One Question, BBC historical-crime returning series Murder, Mystery and My Family, winner of the Best Daytime Broadcast Award, C4 restoration show Mend it For Money,  BAFTA nominated C4 rig camera show Life Behind Bars: Visiting Hour, ITV comedy game show Don’t Ask Me Ask Britain, and pioneering factual entertainment show, My Wonderful Life for Sky. Chalkboard is part of IZEN, the international production group that also includes Clapperboard Studios and Storyboard Studios in the UK, Zebra from Spain and iMagic from the Middle East.