First look at Harriet Walter as Margaret Thatcher for new C4 drama

First-look images of Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter starring in Channel 4's Brian and Margaret have showcased their epic transformations as they take on the roles of Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher.

Steve, 58, who previously starred in The Reckoning, was worlds away from his usual lighthearted self as he embodied wise and much-feared inquisitor Brian.

In six first-look images released by Channel 4, Steve was seen with receding greying locks and a striped black and white suit.

Elsewhere, Harriet took fans back in time as she perfected the look of the former UK Prime Minister.

For her character, she swapped out her usual brunette tresses with a classic golden perm and wore a striking blue suit with a scallop design around the collar.

She layered the then-trendy two-piece over a crisp white shirt and modest black heels.

Brian and Margaret, which will air sometime 2025, was written by RTS award-winner Jamers Graham, known for Sherwood, Quiz, Brexit: The Uncivil War.

It's based on political editor and TV producer Rob Burley's book Why is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me?: Searching for the Truth on Political TV.

The two-part drama was directed by Academy Award nominee and BAFTA-winning Stephen Frears - known for A Very English Scandal and Florence Foster Jenkins, Philomena.

In 1989 Brian and Margaret came together for their last ever TV interview.

Little did they know they were about to embark on one of the most famous political exchanges of all time.

The 45-minute showdown became a national talking point and set in train a series of events that ended with Margaret's resignation.

Afterwards, they never spoke again.

Brian and Margaret will be released in two 60-minute episodes.

TV presenter Brian died in 2019 at the age of 86 following complications from emphysema.

The veteran broadcaster, who started his career as a Labour politician, died at home in St Peter Port, Guernsey.

Brian was scouted by ITV, where he worked on Weekend World among other programmes.

He was best known for his tenacious interviews with high-profile politicians and was considered Margaret Thatcher's 'favourite' interviewer.

During one famous grilling when her own Conservative cabinet were turning against her in 1989, Brian asked Margaret whether she was 'off her trolley'.

He asked her: 'You come over as being someone who one of your backbenchers said is slightly off her trolley, authoritarian, domineering, refusing to listen to anybody else – why? 

'Why cannot you publicly project what you have just told me is your private character?'

She replied: 'Brian, if anyone's coming over as domineering in this interview, it's you.'

His amiable style frequently beguiled his subjects, very often cabinet ministers, into straying into areas which they would rather not have discussed in public.

His wife Hazel said she was 'happily married' for 43 years and her late husband was 'very cheerful, always happy and got on well with people'.

She said: 'The biggest regret that he would have is that he didn't live to see Brexit, because he was a passionate Brexiteer.

'Margaret Thatcher would never have let things get as far as Theresa May has.

'He agreed with Nigel Farage that the only way is out, unless we wish to give up our British rights and tradition to be held in a superstate.

'To be dominated by a capricious and undemocratic Brussels-Berlin axis is not something he would have wanted.' 

Former Conservative prime minister Margaret died in 2013 in a suite at the Ritz after suffering a severe stroke.

Britain's first and only female political leader passed away peacefully aged 87, after battling poor health for more than a decade.

After a minor operation over Christmas, Baroness Thatcher had spent the past few months recuperating at the five-star hotel in central London.

The Iron Lady was given 24-hour care by nursing staff in her suite, after becoming too frail to stay in her Belgravia home.

The grocer's daughter, who became the longest serving British prime minister of the 20th century, was honoured with a full ceremonial funeral - one step below a state funeral - at St Paul's Cathedral.

Speaking of his role Steve said: 'It's great to be telling a story from the era of the sorely missed forensic interview - two giants of their time locking horns to determine the future of Britain. To act opposite Harriet Walter with a script by James Graham directed by Stephen Frears is a challenge of the very best kind!'

Harriet said: 'I have to travel a great distance to reach Maggie Thatcher but with James's brilliant script, Stephen Frears to guide me and Steve Coogan to accompany me I have the dream team to help me achieve it.'