PremiumSteve Coogan locked to play sex offender Jimmy Savile in the mini-series The Reckoning
The Reckoning will trace the life of Savile from his childhood to his grown-up years, his rise to fame and the last few years when he used his celebrity status and power to stifle the sex offences against children.
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Last Updated: 09.51 PM, Sep 27, 2021
English actor and comedian Steve Coogan has been locked to play the role of Jimmy Savile, the disgraced and infamous English television personality who was known for hosting Top of the Pops, in a mini-series, and leading a dubious life as a sex offender. Titled The Reckoning, the dramatic mini-series has been written by Neil McKay.
As per reports, the plot will trace Savile’s life at different stages, from his childhood to after his death in 2011, the year when it was revealed to everyone’s horror that he had abused more than 500 children. During his lifetime, Savile had faced allegations of sexual abuse but they were brushed off and not taken seriously. Savile had taken the legal route to stifle the accusations in some cases. It was only after Savile’s death that a volley of accusations came up and it came to light and led everyone to conclude that Savile was a predatory sex offender and even one of the most notorious ones in Britain perhaps.
As per media reports, Coogan went on record to say that essaying the character of someone as disgraced as Jimmy Saville was not a light matter. The Tropic Thunder actor told ToI: “Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which - however harrowing - needs to be told."
Sandra Goldbacher will direct The Reckoning and Jeff Pope will executively producer the mini-series. The series is produced by ITV Studios.
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Savile, who rose to fame from a working-class person to one of the most popular faces on English television, hosted the popular music chart program Top of the Pops, right on from its premiere in 1964 to the late 1980s. He was also famous as the host of Jim'll Fix It, acting on the wishes expressed in letters that were largely written by children.
Word has it that the makes will delve into Savile’s success story as a television personality and the last few of his years when he was fighting horrible accusations about his sex offences in private life. The Reckoning will showcase how the popular television presenter "used his celebrity and powerful connections to conceal his wrongdoings and to hide in plain sight".
The release date and streaming platform of the miniseries haven’t been announced yet.