Steve Coogan says Richard III was ‘a story I wanted to tell’ as discredited academic seeks reparations | Steve Coogan

Steve Coogan said his film about the discovery of Richard III’s remains was “the story I wanted to tell, and I’m glad I did” after he and two production companies agreed to pay “significant damages” to settle a High Court libel claim over the film’s depiction of a university academic.

Richard Taylor, deputy registrar at the University of Leicester at the time of the discovery, has sued Coogan, his production company Baby Cow and Pathe Productions for defamation over his portrayal in the 2022 film The Lost King, which follows amateur historian Philippa Langley and her search for the king’s skeleton.

Taylor’s lawyers had previously asserted that he was portrayed in the film as “devious”, “weasel-like” and a “bean-suitable person”.

Judge Lewis had previously ruled that the film portrayed Taylor as “deliberately misrepresenting the facts to the media and the public” in relation to the discovery, and as “arrogant, dismissive and unduly condescending”, which had a defamatory meaning.

The case was scheduled to go to trial, but Taylor’s attorneys read an agreed statement to the court Monday saying the parties had settled the claim.

William Bennett, KC’s representative for Taylor, told the court: “Mr Taylor claimed that his portrayal in this incorrect manner in the film caused serious harm to his professional and personal reputation and caused him enormous distress and embarrassment.”

In addition to paying significant damages, the defendants also agreed to pay his legal costs and provide an on-screen explanation that the depiction of Taylor was “fictional and does not represent the actions of the real Mr. Taylor,” and that he “acted with integrity during the events depicted.”

After the hearing, Langley said on her website that she had intended to appear as a witness for the defendants at trial because she wanted the judge to “independently reach a decision in this matter,” but was unable to do so due to ill health.

Coogan said in a statement that he would have “preferred” for a judge to decide the case, that it was “unfortunate” that they were unable to present evidence in court due to Langley’s ill health, and that the film was “Philippa Langley’s story”.

He said Langley instigated the search for Richard III, insisted on digging in the car park area where the remains were found and raised most of the money needed to exhume his body.

“If it had not been for Philippa Langley, Richard III would still be lying under a car park in Leicester. And it is her name that will be remembered in connection with the discovery of the missing king, long after Richard Taylor has faded into obscurity.”

“This is the story I wanted to tell, and I’m glad I did.”

Kogan, Baby Kaw and Pathy were not represented in court and did not attend.

In the film, Taylor, played by Lee Ingleby, is shown to be hostile towards Langley, played by Sally Hawkins, who leads the dig and is marginalized by academics when they seek to take credit for the discovery. Coogan plays Langley’s husband, who co-wrote the script with Jeff Pope.

In 2022, Taylor told the BBC: “I’ve been portrayed as sort of a manipulative, bullying, sarcastic, deceitful person, which is bad, but when you add to that that I’m behaving in a sexist way and in a way that seems to be making fun of Richard III’s disabilities, then you start to get into the realm of defamation.”

In his statement to the court, Bennett said Langley “caused the remains to be found by going ahead with a project to search for them” in a Leicester city center car park more than 500 years after the king’s death. He said the University of Leicester had also played a “crucial role in providing funds and academic expertise” to the project, with Taylor being the “principal coordinator of the university’s involvement”.

Speaking outside court, Taylor, who is now chief operating officer at Loughborough University, said he felt “angry” and “completely powerless” when the film was shown. He said that the outcome of his defamation case represents “success and vindication” after a “long and exhausting battle.”

Taylor said Langley’s initiation of the project and “increased confidence” made it possible to find Richard III. He added: “Her contribution was notable, but it did not extend to leading archaeological research or scientific analysis, in which she was neither qualified nor experienced.”

“There have been moments over the past three years when I thought, when Philippa Langley called me for university support, that maybe I should have put the application in the bin, but I didn’t, and I think I was right not to.

“It was a fantastic academic effort involving volunteers, the Richard III Society, and academics from many, many universities, on an international scale. I think it’s a really wonderful discovery, and a powerful piece of teamwork.”

A joint statement from Coogan, Pathe and Baby Cow said: “As a distributor and producer known for bringing complex, realistic stories to audiences, we are keenly aware of the responsibility that comes with such pictures and approach each project with care, integrity and a commitment to authenticity.

“We remain extremely proud of this film and are pleased that this matter has now been settled.”