'Gaslit': cast and plot of the new show about the Watergate scandal starring Julia Roberts

The series is based on the first season of Leon Neyfakh's podcast 'Slow Burn'

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  This image released by Starz shows Sean Penn as John Mitchell, left, and Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell in a scene from "Gaslit," premiering April 24. (Hilary Bronwyn Gayle / Starz via AP)

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  Shea Whigham as G Gordon Liddy in the TV show.

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  Dan Stevens as John Dean, left, and Betty Gilpin as Mo Dean.

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  This image released by Starz shows Sean Penn as John Mitchell in a scene from "Gaslit," premiering April 24. (Hilary Bronwyn Gayle / Starz via AP)

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  Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell, left.

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  This image released by Starz shows Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell in a scene from "Gaslit," premiering April 24. (Hilary Bronwyn Gayle / Starz via AP)

Julia Roberts is back on the small screen thanks to her starring role as Martha Mitchell in the new series Gaslit.

The political thriller, based on the first season of Leon Neyfakh’s podcast Slow Burn, focuses on several untold stories of the Watergate scandal which took place in America during Richard Nixon’s presidency in the 1970s.

The show made its debut on Starz in the US on Sunday to acclaim from critics and fans. Here’s everything you need to know about Gaslit.

Who is in 'Gaslit'?

Sean Penn as John Mitchell in 'Gaslit'. Photo: Starz

The characters on the show are based on real people. In addition to Roberts, the cast includes Sean Penn as John Mitchell, who was the US Attorney General under Nixon.

Dan Stevens also stars as John Dean, a former attorney who served as White House Counsel, while Betty Gilpin plays his wife, Mo Dean.

Other supporting cast includes Shea Whigham as G Gordon Liddy, Darby Camp as Marty Mitchell and Aleksandar Filimonovic as Zolton.

What is 'Gaslit' about?

Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell in 'Gaslit'. Photo: Starz

The show, which consists of eight episodes, focuses on lesser-known tales from the Watergate scandal. In particular, the story of Martha Mitchell, who was one of the first people to accuse president Nixon of his involvement in the political scandal.

Known for eavesdropping on conversations or looking at her husband's paperwork and then gossiping to the press, she was nicknamed "the mouth of the south".

The series centres on what happens to her after she goes to the press with her allegations about Nixon. Her husband John, one of Nixon’s most trusted advisers and close friends, is forced to choose between his wife and the president. Nixon's aides attempt to discredit her by spreading rumours that she had a drinking problem and releasing stories about her to the press.

"It’s always a balancing act to show all sides to a person. She was known for being loud and boisterous, but I spent a lot of time discussing her 'off-camera' personality, what she was like at home alone, and what she and John were like at home,” Roberts said in an interview.

“It was extremely important for me to find out what she was like in private. There is a lot of great film of her and it shows her personality. I also read her biography, which was wildly helpful. And I listened to the Slow Burn podcast about Watergate, which was very interesting.”

Where can I watch the show?

In the US, the show broadcasts on Starz with new episodes released weekly.