A new trailer for the Showtime miniseries The Comey Rule showcases actor Brendan Gleeson's spot-on portrayal of President Donald Trump. Written and directed by Billy Ray, the two-night event is set to premiere on September 27 and stars Jeff Daniels as former FBI Director James Comey.
The Comey Rule is based on Comey's 2018 book A Higher Loyalty. It details his career in public service and his relationship with President Trump while investigating former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe. In addition to Gleeson and Daniels, the miniseries also features Michael Kelly as Andrew McCabe, Holly Hunter as Sally Yates, and Peter Coyote as Robert Mueller. The Comey Rule was originally slated to air after the November presidential election but Ray pushed for the series to debut prior to election day in hopes of reigniting conversation around the series' events.
Showtime released a second trailer that focuses heavily on Brendan Gleeson as President Donald Trump. The first look at The Comey Rule included brief glimpses of Gleeson as the 45th president while keeping the attention on Jeff Daniels as James Comey. Now, Gleeson's interpretation of President Trump is front and center and shows how the Irish actor channeled the president's voice, mannerisms, and signature look.
Gleeson, 65, manages to replicate the New York accent that has made President Trump, 74, unmistakable when he speaks. The makeup and costume department for The Comey Rule also help Gleeson get into character, casting a menacing tone throughout the trailer.
The Comey Rule will not be the last miniseries or movie to chronicle the Trump administration. But the Showtime series and Brendan Gleeson have the chance to set the standard for all future portrayals of President Trump. Most of the public is familiar with Alec Baldwin's parody on Saturday Night Live but Gleeson will deliver the first mainstream dramatic interpretation.
Few would argue that President Trump isn't a larger-than-life character. Before becoming president of the United States, he routinely played himself in films and on television. Playing him on-screen carries the risk of being too over the top or editorialized. However, The Comey Rule trailer indicates that Gleeson took the role seriously and attempted to stay true to the versions of President Trump seen on camera and behind closed doors. The hair and make-up are not cartoonish nor is the voice the bombastic, overplayed version used by late-night comedians and others to lampoon the president. Gleeson's take on President Trump will surely be among the most talked-about aspects of The Comey Rule.
Source: Showtime via YouTube