the role of films in politics: the representation of boris johnson in ‘this england’ tv series

Television series serve as tools for propaganda and influence, allowing political figures to manipulate public opinion and control how they are perceived. one notable example of this phenomenon can be seen in the representation of boris johnson in the tv series ‘this england’. the representation of johnson in the midst of scandals like party gate and the mishandling of the covid-19 pandemic tainted his public image as a reliable leader and a dependable prime minister. the resulting backlash against him was so severe that he was called to testify in the official covid-19 inquiry (2023) following his compelled resignation. the filming of the ’this england’ during his time in office and its airing just 22 days after his departure, appeared as an effort to repair his damaged image. utilizing qualitative content analysis and drawing on stuart hall’s theory of representation, this paper explores the nuanced depiction of johnson’s leadership and contributes to our understanding of how television series can shape political narratives. the significance of this study resides in its contribution to our comprehension of the multifaceted ways in which television series can shape public perception of political leadership and contribute to broader societal and political discourse.