Exclusive: Four projects based on the Wagatha Christie Trial are reportedly in the works, including a scripted drama, a Netflix documentary, and more.
In 2020, after failed mediation, Ms. Vardy filed a defamation lawsuit against Ms. Rooney in High Court, which oversees high-profile civil cases in Britain. This May, the participants entered the courtroom. The proceeding formally called Vardy v. Rooney became known as the #WagathaChristie Trial.
According to Deadline, ‘Wagatha Christie’s defamation trial concluded after two and a half long years. The judge is ruling in favour of Rooney. Vardy had originally brought the case to court, claiming defamation after Rooney unveiled her as the culprit behind a roll-call of stories about her and her family leaked to the press. Rooney had laid a trap for Vardy by restricting her Instagram account so that she knew who could see her posts, leading to the day she announced on social media the results of her investigation, saying, “It’s….. Rebekah Vardy.” Thus was #WagathaChristie born.
Justice Karen Steyn said Rooney proved her allegation was “substantially true”. She concluded that Vardy knew and condoned details being leaked to the Sun by her agent Caroline Watt.
“It was not a case I ever sought or wanted,” Rooney said.
“I never believed it should have gone to court at such expense … when the money could have been far better spent helping others,” she added.
As per Variety, a documentary about the ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial is coming to Disney+. It will feature interviews with Coleen Rooney, her family, friends, and others involved in the trial.
Netflix has planned a documentary by Dorothy St Pictures, who shot Rooney during the court case. Chalkboard has been commissioned by Channel 4 to film a reconstruction of events using courtroom transcripts with actors taking the roles of the protagonists.
