Vertigo Films Taps Kirk Jones for Trump Series

Kirk Jones (Waking Ned, Nanny McPhee, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2) has been tapped by Vertigo Films as writer and director of You’ve Been Trumped.

Based on Anthony Baxter’s 2011 documentary of the same name, the drama explores how the locals of a small Scottish community stood up against Donald Trump and his luxury golf course development to preserve their homes and way of life.

Told through the eyes of farmer Michael Forbes, his family and a core group of residents, the series follows key figures at the heart of the story, from former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond and Councillor John Swinney to Guardian journalist Annie Baxter and the entire Trump family.

Vertigo Films is co-producing the series with Blazing Griffin (Book of Love, Anna & the Apocalypse) and Montrose Pictures (You’ve Been Trumped, Eye of the Storm). It is executive produced by Allan Niblo for Vertigo Films, Naysun Alae-Carew and Lizzie Gray for Blazing Griffin, Anthony Baxter for Montrose Pictures and Jones. Baxter serves as a creative consultant.

“There was a reason why the worlds media was drawn to this story in 2006 and why there was such a determined effort to prevent Anthony Baxter’s excellent documentary of the same name, being released in 2011,” Jones said. “A special site of scientific interest was stripped of its status and a community of decent people faced an unwanted aggressor. This is a story that needs to be told to a wider audience, and I am thrilled to be working with this team on what we plan to be a humorous, dramatic and emotionally engaging TV series set in one of the most stunning locations in the British Isles.”

“Trump’s presidency is arguably one of the most insane periods of modern history, and yet it was this story—one of rebellious spirit, human endeavor and genuine fear for the planet—that we felt compelled to dramatize,” said Niblo, co-founder of Vertigo Films. “Kirk is the perfect person to retell this story, having captured the strength of community, heart and spirit so well in Waking Ned.”

Alae-Carew added, “This is a story that captures Scotland’s true spirit. Standing between the land and the person who would become the most powerful man on the planet simply because it was the right thing to do. It shows us all how hard we must fight to protect our natural environment. We are incredibly excited to be working with Vertigo and Kirk to tell this story to the world.”