First look at BBC's The Reckoning shows Steve Coogan as paedophile Jimmy Savile

17 August 2023 , 11:53

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First look at BBC's The Reckoning shows Steve Coogan as paedophile Jimmy Savile

A first look image from the upcoming BBC drama The Reckoning has been released; showing Steve Coogan’s transformation into vile paedophile Jimmy Savile.

The stomach churning four part drama is due to be aired on the Beeb this autumn – despite concerns from victims of sex offender Jimmy, who died in 2011 aged 84 before his crimes were uncovered. The sick TV star had preyed on vulnerable and disabled children and abused his position within charities to get close to under age girls – while also committing attacks on others up to the age of 75.

The promotional photo from the new series shows 57-year-old Steve looking alarmingly similar to the dead criminal after he slipped into a long blonde wig and a red tracksuit to play the predator. The show is going ahead and will be broadcast on the BBC, who themselves have been accused of covering up for the star for decades, and explore how Savile managed to integrate himself into the corporation, charities, hospitals and prisons where he searched for his victims.

A synopsis of the series reads: "The series will explore how Savile used his celebrity and powerful connections to conceal his crimes and exploit institutional failings. It is important to understand how he was able to hide in plain sight in order to gain a greater understanding of how he evaded justice.

The BBC have released the first image of The Reckoning, showing Steve Coogan in character as Jimmy Savile (BBC/ITV Studios/Matt Squire)

"The drama aims to highlight the importance of confronting the horrors of the past and talking openly about abuse." It is noted four of Savile’s victims will be featured in the series – with The Sun reporting the victims were: "Interviewed on camera to offer their further insight and to reflect on their experiences in the hope that the telling of their stories will prevent something like it happening again."

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But the production has been under fire since news it was being made first broke in 2020. One victim, who was abused when she was just a girl, slammed the BBC for creating the show. She told The Sun at the time: "The idea of making a drama out of Savile's life, for the purpose of entertainment, is so distasteful and distressing. I hold the BBC partly responsible for my abuse – many people knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it."

She added: "To find out the same organisation is now planning to use these events to gain ratings is unacceptable. It's almost like being abused again."

Savile died in 2011 - before his huge list of vile crimes was exposed (Getty Images)

Steve has defended his decision to play the vile pedophile (PA)

Steve has defended the series himself, addressing the backlash during an appearance on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch last year: "I think that’s because Jimmy Savile played a trick on the entire nation so there’s a real feeling of antagonism about it. But you need to look at someone like that to understand how they’re able to operate and to prevent it happening again. If you sweep it under the carpet and just don’t talk about it anymore, then those people are destined to come back."

The series has been written by Neil McKay will also feature Gemma Jones, Siobhan Finneran, Mark Lewis Jones and Mark Stanley in the cast. An official BBC statement about the show shared more details about the four part series - and the care that was taken in the planning process to create a show that does not sensationalise Savile's crimes.

The BBC said: "Using drama’s unique ability to place events in their emotional and historical context, the series will explore how Savile used his celebrity and powerful connections to conceal his crimes and exploit institutional failings. It is important to understand how he was able to hide in plain sight in order to gain a greater understanding of how he evaded justice. The drama aims to highlight the importance of confronting the horrors of the past and talking openly about abuse.

"The team 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 will examine the impact his appalling crimes had on his victims, and the powerlessness many felt when they tried to raise the alarm."

Mirror.co.uk