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The Reckoning (2023 TV series)

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The Reckoning
GenreDocudrama
Based onIn Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile
by Dan Davies[1]
Written byNeil McKay[2]
Directed bySandra Goldbacher[2]
David Blair
StarringSteve Coogan
ComposerNiall Byrne[3]
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producersNeil McKay
Jeff Pope[4]
ProducerClare Shepherd [5]
Production locationsEngland
Wales
Production companyITV Studios[6]
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release9 October (2023-10-09) –
17 October 2023 (2023-10-17)

The Reckoning is a British docudrama television miniseries that depicts the career and sexual crimes of British media personality Jimmy Savile, portrayed by Steve Coogan, from the early 1960s to his death in 2011. It is based in part on the book In Plain Sight: the Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile by Dan Davies.[1][7][8]

The series sparked controversy during its production and was first broadcast on BBC One in October 2023. The Reckoning received mixed reviews, with praise for Coogan's portrayal of Savile.

Premise

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The series recounts the career and sexual offences of Jimmy Savile, who was one of the best-known radio and television personalities in Britain during his life, and whose crimes emerged after his death.[9] Four real-life survivors of Savile's abuse speak at the start and end of some of the episodes.[10] Each episode has scenes taking place in the last years of Savile's life, primarily where writer Dan Davies, who is researching Savile for his book, interviews him in various locations.

Cast

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Episodes

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No.EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateBBC One broadcastUK viewers
(millions) [19]
1Episode 1Sandra Goldbacher David BlairNeil McKay (screenplay), Dan Davies (based on book: In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile)9 October 2023 (2023-10-09)9 October 20236.17
Writer Dan Davies interviews media personality Jimmy Savile to recount the story of his life. In the early 1960s, Savile is living in Salford with his friend Ray Teret. As a DJ, Savile runs sell-out dances for young people in the dance halls of Leeds and Manchester, and volunteers at Leeds General Infirmary – but also exploits these positions by sexually abusing people. He is invited to host a new BBC series, Top of the Pops, while victims of his abuse watch in horror.
2Episode 2Sandra Goldbacher David BlairNeil McKay (screenplay), Dan Davies (based on book: In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile)9 October 2023 (2023-10-09)10 October 20235.07
Top of the Pops makes Savile a household name. His growing influence within the BBC and at a range of institutions enables him to act with apparent impunity. After he receives an OBE, his mother, who suspects a dark side to her son, dies in 1972, and his behaviour continues.
3Episode 3Sandra Goldbacher David BlairNeil McKay (screenplay), Dan Davies (based on book: In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile)9 October 2023 (2023-10-09)16 October 20235.15
At the peak of his fame and influence, Savile hosts Jim'll Fix It on BBC One. The series makes him a regular feature in households across Britain. Telling a priest about his crimes, he is told that he should turn himself in. He further cements his position of power by spearheading a fundraising campaign for Stoke Mandeville Hospital, giving him unprecedented political access, allowing him to hide in plain sight and silence the victims of his crimes. Savile is knighted.
4Episode 4Sandra Goldbacher David BlairNeil McKay (screenplay), Dan Davies (based on book: In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile)9 October 2023 (2023-10-09)17 October 20234.86
In the early 2000s, Savile attempts to protect his legacy and continues to hide in plain sight. In 2006, he is angry when his appearance on the final edition of Top of the Pops is very short. He turns to drinking brandy. In 2011, Savile falls with ill health and suffering from pneumonia. Before leaving hospital, he refuses to admit to any sins when read his last rites, opting to take his chances in death. Savile dies in his Leeds flat, his fingers crossed.

Production

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The production was announced in October 2020,[20] and was criticised before filming was underway. Richard Morrison, writing in The Times, stated that, as it was commissioned by the BBC, it felt "less an act of contrition than of exploitation."[21] Pragya Argawal, writing in The Independent, stated:

It also feels insidiously callous and thoughtless that an organisation that played a role in glorifying a sex offender and profiting from him [the BBC], while covering up his actions for many decades, are once again capitalising on his "brand" and the fascination that viewers have with monsters and true crime.[22]

Ben Lawrence, writing in The Daily Telegraph, said the victims of Savile's crimes deserved "better than the kneejerk hysteria that has surfaced about The Reckoning", and that "... the question is not whether we should make a drama like The Reckoning, but how we do so."[23]

In September 2021, it was announced that Steve Coogan had been cast as Jimmy Savile.[a][b] Coogan said the decision to play Savile was "not one I took lightly", but felt that writer Neil McKay's script "tackled a horrific story which – however harrowing – needs to be told".[25] Work on the production started in early October 2021, and included filming location scenes in North-West England and North Wales.[26][27] During production, Coogan met with real life survivors of Savile's abuse, and reassured them when they saw him in character.[28] Coogan asked the filmmakers to tone down a scene where Savile is implied to molest an elderly woman's dead body in a morgue, finding it too uncomfortable.[29] Coogan, who later explained he had his head shaved for months during production, said that he was so uncomfortable playing Savile that he eventually was "pleased" when production finished.[30]

In light of the controversy surrounding the series and the events regarding the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the drama was first expected to be broadcast by the BBC in 2022,[31] before being pushed back to 2024. A source said, “The four-part drama is being edited in such a meticulous and careful way, so as not to create more pain and suffering for Savile’s victims.”[32] It was later brought forward to 2023.[33] The series went to air on BBC One from 9 October,[34] with all episodes available on iPlayer from the same date.[35] Coogan reportedly cancelled a string of book signings as Alan Partridge during the broadcast.[36]

The programme was presented as being partly fictionalised, with some characters and events created for dramatic purposes.[37] Several scenes have been described in the Telegraph as embellished or false.In a subplot in Episode 2, Savile, after hosting an edition of Top of the Pops, rapes a young Asian girl who subsequently kills herself with an overdose of pills. This incident is based on the suicide in 1971 of 15-year-old Claire McAlpine, who claimed to have been sexually abused by two disc jockeys: it is unclear whether Savile was one of her abusers.[38] One of McAlpine’s friends said she was upset about the filmmakers' decision not to use her real name, and Mark Williams-Thomas criticised the casting of the character's race from white to Asian.[39] Williams-Thomas was criticised for his comments about the character's race.[40] The final scene of Savile dead in his armchair with his fingers crossed, is based on the claim that when Savile was found dead, he had a smile on his face and his fingers were crossed.[41]

Critical reception

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The Reckoning received mixed reviews from television critics, with most praising Coogan's performance.[42][43] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 61% of 18 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.80/10. The website's consensus reads: "Featuring an absolutely chilling performance by Steve Coogan, The Reckoning wallows in a sordid legacy where there's scant closure to be had."[44]

In The Guardian, Lucy Mangan wrote that Coogan was "chillingly brilliant as Jimmy Savile", but that "to watch The Reckoning is to come away depressed but unenlightened".[45][46] The series was criticised as gratuitous and for being shown on the BBC, which was accused of having shielded Savile in his lifetime.[45][46][47][48] John Nugent of Empire gave the series three out of five stars, describing it as a "tough watch, of course, made with obvious conscientiousness, centred around a deeply disturbing central performance from Steve Coogan. Whether this is the appropriate form of reckoning for such inconceivable crimes, however, should be up for debate."[49] Louis Theroux, when asked on whether he thought the series was in "bad taste", said that he was "struck" by the series' attempt "to scrupulously adhere to the facts". He also praised Coogan's performance.[50]

Coogan was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in 2024.[51]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Davies, Dan (2014). In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile. Quercus. ISBN 978-1782067436.
  2. ^ a b Glover, Ella (12 October 2021). "Steve Coogan pictured as Jimmy Savile for first time while filming The Reckoning". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Niall Byrne Scoring BBC's 'The Reckoning'". Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  4. ^ "BBC to make drama about Jimmy Savile's life". Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Steve Coogan cast as lead in BBC Drama The Reckoning". Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Further details and casting announced for forthcoming BBC factual drama The Reckoning". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  7. ^ The closing credits include the statement "Based on extensive research, interviews and based in part on the book 'In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile' by Dan Davies" (56:14 on iPlayer)
  8. ^ Davies, Dan (9 October 2023). "'Why was I so obsessed with him?': my seven years in search of Jimmy Savile's secrets". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  9. ^ Evans, Chris, ed. (26 October 2021). "Cold Stare". The Daily Telegraph. No. 51, 770. p. 7. ISSN 0307-1235.
  10. ^ Rodger, James (10 January 2022). "Savile survivors will appear in BBC Steve Coogan drama The Reckoning". Birmingham Live.
  11. ^ Waterson, Jim (26 September 2021). "Steve Coogan to play Jimmy Savile in 'sensitive' BBC drama". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  12. ^ Hainey, Fionnula (9 October 2023). "The Reckoning on BBC: Cast, plot and how many episodes there are". Manchester Evening News.
  13. ^ a b c "Meet the cast of Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning". Radio Times. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  14. ^ Griffin, Louise (22 October 2021). "Steve Coogan gets into character as Jimmy Savile in new look at controversial BBC drama". Metro. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  15. ^ "BBC One - The Reckoning, Series 1, Episode 1". BBC.
  16. ^ a b "The Reckoning". 9 October 2023 – via IMDb.
  17. ^ Duke, Simon (10 October 2023). "The Reckoning cast as Jimmy Savile drama launches on BBC". Chronicle Live.
  18. ^ Cook, Sam (9 October 2023). "Everything you need to know about BBC Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning". Wales Online.
  19. ^ "Four-screen dashboard". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board.
  20. ^ Morris, Lauren (14 October 2020). "BBC announces drama mini-series The Reckoning about life of Jimmy Savile". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  21. ^ Morrison, Richard (1 October 2021). "The Reckoning: Tim Davie should think again about the BBC's Jimmy Savile drama". The Times. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  22. ^ Argawal, Pragya (27 September 2021). "Opinion: We don't need TV dramas about child abusers like Jimmy Savile". The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  23. ^ Lawrence, Ben (30 December 2021). "It is the duty of dramatists to go to the dark side". The Daily Telegraph. No. 51, 825. p. 25. ISSN 0307-1235.
  24. ^ Starkey, Adam (19 October 2023). "Steve Coogan meets Jimmy Savile in chilling resurfaced clip". NME. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  25. ^ Waterson, Jim (26 September 2021). "Steve Coogan to play Jimmy Savile in 'sensitive' BBC drama". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  26. ^ Carr, Flora (13 October 2021). "BBC drama boss defends new Jimmy Savile series starring Steve Coogan". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  27. ^ Steves, Ashley (12 November 2021). "UK What's Filming: BBC Miniseries 'The Reckoning', Starring Steve Coogan". Backstage. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  28. ^ Steve Coogan reassured Jimmy Savile victims when dressed in costume on TV set, Yahoo News UK (3 October 2023).
  29. ^ "Steve Coogan asked to change disturbing morgue scene in Jimmy Savile drama". The Independent. 6 October 2023.
  30. ^ Amin, Meghna (28 October 2023). "Steve Coogan 'very pleased' when Jimmy Savile drama came to an end".
  31. ^ Mzimba, Lizo (26 December 2021). "TV lookahead: 22 highlights to look out for in 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  32. ^ "The Reckoning: BBC Jimmy Savile Drama 'Delayed Until 2024'". TV Zone. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  33. ^ Waterson, Jim (28 February 2023). "BBC Jimmy Savile drama to air this year despite concerns". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  34. ^ "Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning air date confirmed on BBC". Radio Times.
  35. ^ "BBC One - The Reckoning". BBC.
  36. ^ Willix, Pierra (11 October 2023). "Steve Coogan 'cancels event' over Jimmy Savile backlash fears".
  37. ^ The Reckoning, BBC Media Centre, 7 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023
  38. ^ Alexander Larman, "Jimmy Savile and The Reckoning: what really happened, and what the BBC made up", The Telegraph, 10 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023
  39. ^ Copson, Josie (13 October 2023). "Jimmy Savile investigator blasts The Reckoning for missing key BBC story".
  40. ^ Lawes, Ruth (11 October 2023). "Jimmy Savile investigator blasted over remarks on The Reckoning".
  41. ^ Davies, Dan (2014). In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 1. ISBN 978-1442232853. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  42. ^ "Jimmy Savile: The Reckoning actor Steve Coogan praised but critics say drama adds little". BBC News. 10 October 2023.
  43. ^ "The Reckoning viewers praise Steve Coogan's 'skin-crawling' portrayal of Jimmy Savile". Independent.co.uk. 10 October 2023.
  44. ^ "The Reckoning: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  45. ^ a b Mangan, Lucy (9 October 2023). "The Reckoning review – Steve Coogan is chillingly brilliant as Jimmy Savile". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  46. ^ a b Harvey, Chris (9 October 2023). "The Reckoning, review: Coogan's Savile is evil personified – but the BBC should not have made this". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  47. ^ Cooke, Rachel (9 October 2023). "The BBC's Jimmy Savile drama is entirely gratuitous". New Statesman. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  48. ^ Hilton, Nick (9 October 2023). "The Reckoning review: Steve Coogan's Jimmy Savile drama is a parade of villainy without a point to make". The Independent. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  49. ^ "The Reckoning".
  50. ^ "Louis Theroux on whether he thinks BBC Savile drama The Reckoning is in 'bad taste'". The Independent. 31 October 2023.
  51. ^ "BAFTA TV Awards 2024: Nominations". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2024.

Notes

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  1. ^ Coogan previously voiced Savile on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image.
  2. ^ After the series broadcast, it was later emerged that Coogan had met Savile in real life.[24].
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