The BBC's Original Drama Series State of Play
Paul Abbott’s Political Thriller before the Hollywood Treatment
Dec 20, 2008
When it aired on BBC One in 2003, Paul Abbot’s (Cracker, Shameless, Clocking Off) political thriller State of Play was an instant critical success, went on to win many awards and was the best thing on TV that year. With a US version set for the big screen next year, directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck, hopefully more people will discover an almost forgotten gem in British TV history.
John Simm, Bill Nighy and James McAvoy Together in One Show
The series told the story of an eager journalist Cal McCaffrey (John Simm) who starts to investigate the death of a researcher who worked for his former employer Stephen Collins MP (David Morrissey). Soon Cal and his colleagues find that the death was more than a simple murder but is linked to corruption and lies that go all the way up to parliament, and could threaten all of their lives.
The cast in the BBC show is perhaps one of the best ensembles on British TV and was the big break for many of the stars. Amongst the names were John Simm (who went to make Life on Mars), David Morrissey (set to appear in the Christmas Doctor Who), Kelly Macdonald (now on the right track thanks to the Coens), Philip Glenister (see Simm), Bill Nighy (who has starred in every British film made since 2003) and rising star at the time James McAvoy.
One of the most Accurate Newsrooms on TV
Very few TV shows get the idea of a newsroom or the work of a journalist correct, but on State of Play there’s almost an admiration for the profession. You don’t see Cal digging through bins or Della (Macdonald) chasing widows down the street with a photographer, or just making stuff up. You see real investigation and journalists treating people and their contacts exactly how they do in real life, all crafted together with Abbott's impeccable natural dialogue.
There’s one scene that sums up the modern newspaper atmosphere when The Herald proprietor meets with Bill Nighy’s editor character and tells him that even though the story is big they have to wrap it up and cut costs. It’s like something that could have come from The Wire. Not bad considering Abbott admits to making up the plot as he went along. Lost writers take note.
More importantly it explores the relationship between politicians and the press. Both use each other to their own gains and are in some ways the bane of their respected existences but at the end of the day they both need each other to survive.
Mutterings of a State of Play Second Series
State of Play is such a wonderfully written story that weaves so many parts together and keeps you guessing right until the end. Just when you think you know what’s going on suddenly a character gets killed and the whole dynamic shifts. In six, hour-long episodes it did more storytelling and was more dramatic than most soaps that have been running for 20 years.
There have been mutterings of a second series but whether it will happen or live up to the high standards it has already set is only down to Paul Abbott himself.
The BBC series of State of Play can be bought from most online or physical entertainment stores and the US remake is set to his the big screens in April.
