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'?
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?
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.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
