The Reckoning on BBC1 will see Steve Coogan play predatory sex offender Jimmy Savile. The drama traces Jimmy Savile’s life, from his working-class early years in the dance halls of northern England to his presenting career with the BBC where he became one of TV’s biggest stars, hosting hit shows in the 1970s such as Top Of The Pops and Jim’ll Fix It. It also will look at how Savile's prolific sexual abuse of children was kept under wraps until after his death in 2011.
"I think this is a story that has to be told," explains The Reckoning writer and executive producer Jeff Pope. "We must understand why a man like Jimmy Savile seemed to remain immune for so long to proper scrutiny and criminal investigation."
The team behind The Reckoning have worked closely with many people whose lives were impacted by Savile to ensure their experiences are told and reflected with sensitivity and respect, and the drama will also draw on extensive, wide-ranging research and published accounts. It examines the impact his horrific crimes had on his victims, and the powerlessness many felt trying to raise the alarm. Four survivors of Savile who have contributed to The Reckoning will also feature in the series, interviewed on camera to offer their further insight and to reflect on their experiences.
Here's everything you need to know about BBC1 drama The Reckoning.
The Reckoning release date
The Reckoning starts on BBC1 later in 2023 as part of the BBC's Autumn TV season. We have no news either on a worldwide or US release date. We'll update on all as soon as we know more.
Is there a trailer for The Reckoning?
Nothing has been released trailer-wise for The Reeckoning so far. We'll post here if one arrives.
The Reckoning plot — what is shown in the drama
The Reckoning is a four-part series showing the life of evil Jimmy Savile, who was one of the UK’s most influential TV celebrities. After his death, however, Savile has become one of the most reviled figures of modern history following revelations of extensive and horrific abuse. Evil predator Savile used his involvement in multiple organisations, such as the BBC, hospitals, prisons, and charities, to legitimise himself, forging friendships in showbiz, politics, journalism, the Catholic Church and even the Royal family to bolster his position and avoid serious investigation.
So this series explores how Savile used his celebrity and powerful connections to conceal his crimes and exploit institutional failings, hiding in plain sight. It will therefore show and give a greater understanding of how Savile evaded justice. The drama aims to highlight the importance of confronting the horrors of the past and talking openly about abuse.
The Reckoning cast — Steve Coogan on playing Jimmy Savile
Steve Coogan has been cast as vile predator Jimmy Savile in The Reckoning. He revealed: "To play Jimmy Savile was not a decision I took lightly. Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which — however harrowing — needs to be told."
Steve Coogan is well known for his comedy roles including comedy travelogue The Trip and fictional TV presenter Alan Partridge, most recently seen in This Is Alan Partridge. He's also starred in some hard-hitting drama series and movies, such as Stephen on ITV and Philomena (2013), alongside Dame Judi Dench.
Who else is starring in The Reckoning
The Reckoning will also star Gemma Jones (Marvellous, Gentleman Jack), Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley, Time), Mark Lewis Jones (Outlander, Chernobyl) and Mark Stanley (Happy Valley, White House Farm).
Cameron Ashplant plays Luke Blakefield, Seeta Indrani is Sunita, Sandra James-Young is playing Irene, while Alex Frost as Constable. We will add information to the cast as we learn more.
Behind the scenes on The Reckoning, locations and filming news
Filming of The Reckoning began from early October 2021 on location in and around Greater Manchester, starting in Bolton. There, scenes take place in Le Mans Crescent, alongside the former Bolton Magistrates Court building behind the town hall. The paved area has become well known for being a filming location in other hit TV dramas such as Peaky Blinders and It's A Sin.
In November 2021, Steve Coogan was seen filming with a blond wig and maroon tracksuit on the beach at Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales. Film trucks and catering trailers had parked up at Llandudno's West Shore Beach café which was the unit base for location filming of The Reckoning.
The Reckoning real story — who was Jimmy Savile?
Savile rose to fame in the 1960s and in the 1970s was a popular radio DJ and TV presenter, who regularly hosted Top of the Pops and had his own long-running children’s teatime show Jim’ll Fix It, where he arranged for children’s wishes to come true. He was also known for his fundraising and support for charities and hospitals.
Why is Jimmy Savile so reviled?
The Reckoning will be a controversial watch, no matter what, as Jimmy Savile is so reviled. He's now considered to be one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations were made against him after his death. It’s thought he used his fame and his involvement with the BBC, hospitals and charities to legitimize himself and his evil deeds. He was never prosecuted or jailed as he died in 2011 — before most of the allegations came out in late 2012.
The BBC's justification for telling Jimmy Savile's story in The Reckoning
The Reckoning team is working closely with many people whose lives were impacted by Savile and the drama series will also draw on extensive and wide-ranging research sources. "We don’t intend to sensationalize these crimes but to give voice to his victims," says controller of BBC Drama Piers Wenger."We’ll work with survivors to ensure their stories are told with sensitivity and respect."
At a later event showcasing BBC dramas, Piers Wenger said: "Our primary intention is to give a voice to the victims and tell stories with the utmost respect. Documentaries [on Savile] take you so far in showing the heinous and appalling nature of his crimes but I’ve yet to see one that shows how he was able to render his victims so powerless or hide in plain sight. I feel very confident this is a story that needs to be told and there is a public interest in it."
What other TV dramas is The Reckoning writer Jeff Pope famous for?
The Reckoning writer Jeff Pope produced the BAFTA-winning series Appropriate Adult, which starred Dominic West as Fred West, as well as The Moorside, the series that told the story of the community impacted by the disappearance of Shannon Matthews. He also wrote ITV dramas such as Cilla, Little Boy Blue and A Confession.
