Coogan says Richard III film was ‘the story I wanted to tell’ after libel claim

Steve Coogan said his film about the discovery of the remains of Richard III was “the story I wanted to tell, and I am happy I did” after he and two production companies settled a High Court libel claim over the film’s portrayal of a university academic.

Richard Taylor, chief operating officer at Loughborough University, sued Mr Coogan, his production company Baby Cow, and Pathe Productions over his portrayal in The Lost King, which follows Philippa Langley and her search to find the king’s skeleton.

The lost remains of the Plantagenet king were found in a Leicester car park in 2012, more than 500 years after his death.

At a hearing on Monday, lawyers for Mr Taylor said that Mr Coogan, Baby Cow and Pathe had agreed to pay him “substantial damages” to settle the claim before a trial.

The film is also due to be changed to include an on-screen clarification stating that the portrayal of Mr Taylor is “fictional and does not represent the actions of the real Mr Taylor”, and will say that he “acted with integrity during the events portrayed”.

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

In a statement to the PA news agency later on Monday, Mr Coogan said that he would have “preferred” for a judge to rule on the case, and that the film was “Philippa Langley’s story”.

He said: “Further to Philippa’s own statement, it is unfortunate that due to her ill health, we were unable to put evidence before the court so that the judge could independently come to a decision on the matter, which I would have preferred.

“Philippa Langley instigated the search for Richard III. Philippa Langley insisted on the dig in the northern area of the social services car park where the remains were found. Philippa Langley raised the majority of the money for his exhumation.

“If it wasn’t for Philippa Langley, Richard III would still be lying under a car park in Leicester.

“It is her name that will be remembered in relation to the discovery of the lost king, long after Richard Taylor has faded into obscurity.

“As already stated, the only changes to the film will be a front card, which will follow the existing card, which says that this film is a true story, Philippa Langley’s story.

“That is the story I wanted to tell, and I am happy I did.”

Mr Taylor, who was deputy registrar at the University of Leicester at the time of the discovery of the remains, began legal action in 2023.

In June last year, Judge Jaron Lewis ruled that the film portrayed the academic as having “knowingly misrepresented facts to the media and the public” about the find and as being “smug, unduly dismissive and patronising”, which could be defamatory.

Reading a statement at the hearing on Monday, William Bennett KC, for Mr Taylor, said the film “caused serious harm to his professional and personal reputations and caused enormous distress and embarrassment to him”.

Mr Taylor said following the hearing that the outcome represented “success and vindication” after “a long and gruelling battle”.

Speaking to PA, he said that he felt “cross” and “completely helpless” when the film was released.

He said: “There have been moments over the last three years when I thought, when Philippa Langley approached me for the university’s support, I perhaps should have put the request in the bin, but I didn’t, and I think I was right not to do that.

“It was a fantastic piece of academic work involving volunteers, involving the Richard III Society, involving academics, from many, many universities, on an international scale.

“I think it’s a truly remarkable discovery, a really strong piece of teamwork.”

Mr Coogan, Baby Cow and Pathe were not represented and did not attend court.

But in a joint statement following the hearing, they said: “As a distributor and producer recognised for bringing complex, real-life stories to audiences, we are deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with such portrayals and approach each project with care, integrity, and a commitment to authenticity.

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

“As part of the agreement, no material editorial changes will be made to the film beyond an onscreen clarification at the beginning of the film.”

In her statement, Ms Langley said: “It has been the most significant honour to have my story told by Pathe, Baby Cow and Steve Coogan, and I cannot thank them enough.”