A first look at Sir Kenneth Branagh appearing as Boris Johnson in an upcoming Sky series has been released by the broadcaster.

This England will follow the Prime Minister grappling with Covid-19, Brexit and controversy within his personal and political life.

The drama series, originally titled This Sceptred Isle, is due to premiere later this year.

The ominous teaser opens with a jubilant voiceover by Sir Kenneth as the Prime Minister saying: “2020 will be a year of prosperity.”

A montage of clips showing the inside of Number 10 follows as the Covid-19 pandemic appears to escalate as a voice says “500,000 deaths – that is a worst-case scenario”.

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An eerie soundtrack plays as the familiar rhetoric to “wash your hands” and “stay at home” plays out alongside images of the Prime Minister hosting press conferences at Downing Street.

It closes with an image of the Number 10 door shutting as a radio announcer states: “The United Kingdom has overtaken Italy to report the highest official death toll.”

The series will trace the impact on Britain from the pandemic, and the response of scientists, nurses and doctors.

It is based on the first-hand testimony of people inside Number 10 Downing Street, the Department of Health, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), and from hospitals and care homes across the country.

Alongside Branagh the series will also star Ophelia Lovibond as Carrie Symonds, Andrew Buchan as Matt Hancock and Simon Paisley Day as Dominic Cummings.