State of Play (TV series)

State of Play
Genre Conspiracy thriller
Political thriller
Created by Paul Abbott
Written by Paul Abbott
Directed by David Yates
Starring David Morrissey
John Simm
Kelly Macdonald
Polly Walker
Bill Nighy
James McAvoy
Marc Warren
Philip Glenister
Composer(s) Nicholas Hooper
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language(s) English
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 6 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Gareth Neame
Laura Mackie
Paul Abbott
Producer(s) Hilary Bevan Jones
Production location(s) London
Cinematography Chris Seager
Editor(s) Mark Day
Running time 60 minutes
Production company(s) Endor Productions
Distributor 2 Entertain
Release
Original network BBC One
Picture format 16:9
Audio format Stereo
Original release 18 May (2003-05-18) – 22 June 2003 (2003-06-22)
External links
Website

State of Play is a British television drama series, written by Paul Abbott and directed by David Yates, that was first broadcast on BBC One in 2003. The series tells the story of a newspaper's investigation into the death of a political researcher, and centres on the relationship between the leading journalist, Cal McCaffrey, and his old friend, Stephen Collins, who is a Member of Parliament and the murdered woman's employer. The series is primarily set in London and was produced in-house by the BBC in association with the independent production company Endor Productions. The series stars David Morrissey, John Simm, Kelly Macdonald, Polly Walker, Bill Nighy, and James McAvoy in the main roles.

The series was Abbott's first attempt to write a political thriller, and he initially made the majority of the plot up as he went along. He was prompted to write the series after BBC Head of Drama Jane Tranter asked him whether he would consider writing a piece "bigger" than anything he had written so far in his career. The serial was Abbott's third major writing project for the channel, following Clocking Off and Linda Green. The series was also a major turning point in David Yates' directorial career, as he began to direct various high-profile television projects following his work on the series.

The six-part series was broadcast on BBC One on Sunday evenings at 9:00pm from 18 May to 22 June 2003. Episodes two to five were initially premiered on the digital television station BBC Four at 10:00pm on the nights of the preceding episodes' BBC One broadcast; however episode six was held back for a premiere on BBC One, so as not to allow the final twists to be spoiled for those who did not have access to digital television. In 2004, the series ran in the United States on the BBC's BBC America cable channel. In 2005, the series was released on DVD by BBC Worldwide, in a two-disc set. Episode one features an audio commentary from Abbott and Yates, and episode six a commentary from Yates, producer Hilary Bevan-Jones and editor Mark Day.

The success of the series and its favourable impression on BBC executives led to Abbott being commissioned to write a sequel, before the first series had even been aired.[1][2] In 2006, however, a second series appeared to have been abandoned, with Abbott telling Mark Lawson on BBC Radio 4's Front Row in November that he "couldn't find a way to make the story work". In 2007, Abbott was quoted in The Sun as saying that he was currently writing scripts for a second, six-episode series of State of Play, with John Simm and Bill Nighy reprising their roles; however no such series has since come to fruition.[3]

Synopsis

While investigating the murder of fifteen-year-old teenager Kelvin Stagg in what appears to be a drug-related killing, journalist Cal McCaffrey of The Herald (John Simm) and his colleagues Della Smith (Kelly Macdonald) and Cameron Foster (Bill Nighy) find a connection with the coincidental death of Sonia Baker, a young researcher for MP Stephen Collins (David Morrissey). As their investigation progresses, they uncover not only a connection between the deaths, but a conspiracy with links to oil industry-backed corruption of high-ranking British government ministers.

Cast

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Ratings (in millions)[4]
Sourced by BARB.		 Original airdate
1"Episode 1"David YatesPaul Abbott5.7818 May 2003 (2003-05-18)
Fifteen-year-old drug dealer Kelvin Stagg is shot dead on the streets of London, and a motorcycle courier who witnessed the attack is also shot in an attempt to force his silence. Meanwhile, political researcher Sonia Baker (Shauna Macdonald) is also found dead, having seemingly fallen under a tube train in a freak accident. Investigative journalist Cal McCaffrey (John Simm) offers his former employer, Stephen Collins MP (David Morrissey), who was a close friend of Sonia, a shoulder to cry on. As he begins to investigate Kelvin Stagg's murder, he interviews Kelvin's distraught family, who claim that his portrayal in the media – seemingly led by the police – is wholly untrue, and despite claims, he was never involved in the sale of drugs, and was simply a pickpocket. Later, McCaffrey receives a tip-off from Kelvin's brother Sonny, who claims that shortly prior to his death, Kelvin came into possession of a potentially lucrative briefcase that he was trying to sell back to its owner for £200. Upon acquiring the briefcase, Cal discovers it contains a gun and surveillance material starring Sonia Baker. Aware that Baker may also have been murdered, McCaffrey informs fellow journalist Della (Kelly Macdonald), who tries to convince the police to place an armed guard at the beside of the motorcycle courier, for fear of a reprisal attack. However, shortly after Della issues her warning, a fire alarm is activated in the hospital, and whilst trying to move the victim to safety, DI Stuart Brown (Rory McCann) is shot by a sniper and fatally injured just metres from her.
2"Episode 2"David YatesPaul Abbott4.5825 May 2003 (2003-05-25)
In the aftermath of DI Brown's death, a new lead detective, DCI William Bell (Philip Glenister), is assigned to the case. With phone records seemingly confirming a link between the two victims, the investigation continues to gather pace. Whilst investigating the origin of a letter sent to Collins' wife, Della discovers that a fellow journalist from the Mail, Dan Foster (James McAvoy), has obtained a copy of a document supposedly confirming that Collins intended to leave his wife and move in with Sonia Baker. Aware that Foster is somehow ahead of the game, Della tries to convince Cameron (Bill Nighy) to imploy him as a freelance investigator. Dan reveals that he has traced the unidentified party who sent the fax works in the nearby Apex house. After luring the perpetrator into a trap, he is able to identify the man as Dominic Foy (Marc Warren). As Dan, Della and colleague Pete Cheng (Benedict Wong) prepare to speak to Foy, he makes it abundantly clear that he has no business in co-operating, and proceeds to do a runner. Meanwhile, Della returns home from a night out with colleague Helen (Amelia Bullmore) and is angered to discover that her flat has been broken into, and accuses DCI Bell of masterminding the raid in an attempt to uncover information previously undisclosed to the police. Della realises that she has no choice but to declare to the police that the team hold a potentially vital piece of evidence in the briefcase, and Bell subsequently arrests Cal for withholding evidence, and states his intention to prosecute him for perverting the course of justice.
3"Episode 3"David YatesPaul Abbott5.551 June 2003 (2003-06-01)
Bell agrees a deal with Foster and McCaffrey in order to provide a decoy for Della, and McCaffrey is placed under the armed guard of DS Cheweski (Sean Gilder). During a midnight game of cards, McCaffrey receives a call from Anne and informs Cheweski that he intends to meet a 'contact'. As they head to a nearby hotel, Cheweski waits on guard unaware that McCaffrey's plan is to seduce Anne. However, their movement hasn't gone unnoticed, and Cheweski soon realises that a rear security door to the hotel has been breached, and that the hitman is inside. As a deadly game of cat and mouse pursues, Cheweski manages to chase the hitman into the line of police fire. Meanwhile, Bell interviews Collins and suggests that the regular payments being made into Sonia Baker's account where the fruits of a blackmail plot, but Collins denies any malicious intent. As Anne and Cal's relationship begins to blossom, they are caught in the middle of a sexual encounter by a furious Collins. When it becomes apparent that Dominic Foy (Marc Warren) has a stronger connection to Sonia Baker than first thought, he soon becomes the prime target for both McCaffrey and Bell. McCaffrey hatches a plan to catch Foy as he departs an inbound flight from Spain, and tries to persuade him to reveal his side of the story by creating the suggestion that the police are desperate to talk to him.
4"Episode 4"David YatesPaul Abbott5.288 June 2003 (2003-06-08)
Foy is taken to a city hotel and questioned by McCaffrey, while Dan, Helen and Pete conduct a thorough search of his flat. Foy claims that he and Sonia had previously been in a relationship, but the accuracy of his claims is questioned by transcriptor Syd (Tom Burke), who claims that he had a sexual encounter with Foy several years previously. Helen uncovers a series of bank statements suggesting that Foy was paid £75,000 by a firm of lobbyists, Warner Schloss, who are seemingly incorporated within UX-Oil, a multi-national oil company who appear to have an axe to grind with the energy committee. McCaffrey comes to the conclusion that Sonia may have been a spy planted by the company, but is still unable to work out why they would have wanted her dead. In an attempt to ramp up the pressure, Della tries to convince Bell to create a smoke screen by trying to trace Foy at both his home and work addresses. Cameron tries to convince Collins to keep quiet about McCaffrey's affair with his wife. As Collins tries to make account to the police for the withdrawal of £2,000 per month from his personal bank account, he discovers that a weekend away with Sonia in a country hotel, which remained unpaid, was in fact paid in full by Warner Schloss. Foy begins to become paranoid when it appears that he is being followed, unaware that McCaffrey is in fact keeping tabs on him.
5"Episode 5"David YatesPaul Abbott4.6715 June 2003 (2003-06-15)
Foy turns to McCaffrey for help as his paranoia begins to get the better of him. Della convinces him to return to the hotel for a second interview, and McCaffrey invites Collins to listen in. During the interview, Foy makes a shocking claim that Sonia disclosed to him that she was pregnant during the panic phone call on the morning of her death. Collins is unable to contain his anger and physically lashes out at Foy. Meanwhile, as it becomes clear that Sonia's position in Collins' department was engineered by his secretary, Greer (Deborah Findlay), Cal confronts her and discovers that Sonia was employed on the recommendation of George Fergus MP (James Laurenson), who claimed to know her family personally. Collins is furious to discover his colleague's actions and warns him that he intends to take action. As Cal tries to uncover evidence that Fergus was bribed by UX-Oil, Cameron is warned by the newspaper hierarchy to put a lid on the story. However, just as he plans to ignore his superior's orders and go to print, a gagging order is issued, preventing him from printing any aspects of the story. Unprepared to let matters lie, Cameron prints a four page spread which reads: "The Story We Can't Tell You. Because Westminster is Gagging Us. Ask UX-Oil Why. Ask Your MP Why." As a result, Cameron is informed that his contract will be terminated, and a new editor is brought in.
6"Episode 6"David YatesPaul Abbott5.2722 June 2003 (2003-06-22)

Reception

Reviewing the first episode for The Guardian newspaper the day after it had aired, Gareth McLean wrote that "...it's bloody magic. The story is gripping, the acting is ace and Paul Abbott's script is outstanding. His ear for dialogue, and for different voices, is exceptional. The exposition is swift, nifty and joyously unclunky. The characters are credible and rounded. If you can count the best dramas of recent years on the fingers of both hands, it's time to grow a new finger."[1] Other newspaper critics were similarly impressed with the opening installment. In The Times, Paul Hoggart wrote that "Two excellent performances [from Morrissey and Simm] ensure that the relationship has a turbulent dynamism that is credible and engaging."[5] James Walton in The Daily Telegraph was more cautious, feeling that the opening episode had been promising but the serial as a whole still had the potential to go wrong. "At this stage however, the programme is certainly good enough to make me hope not and to ensure that I'll be back next week to find out."[6]

The consensus appeared to be that the serial did maintain its quality to the end. Previewing episode four, Jonathan Wright of The Guide section in The Guardian described it as "A political conspiracy thriller that's as buttock-clenchingly tense as Edge of Darkness, as cynical about the British political system as House of Cards, and stands comparisons to both."[7] The television critic of The Independent, Tom Sutcliffe, wrote of the final episode: "I'm not sure that a thriller can end in anything other than anti- climax. If it has been good you're sad it's over, and if it ends badly you're quite likely to feel that you've been duped. Paul Abbott's State of Play, which has had me swallowing double doses on a Sunday evening whenever the schedules allowed, left us with the first kind of let-down rather than the second."[8]

Bill Nighy won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his role. The series also won a Peabody Award in 2004[9] and won BAFTAs for Best Sound (Fiction/Entertainment) and Best Editing (Fiction/Entertainment). It was nominated, but did not win, in the Best Actor category again, for Morrissey; in the Best Drama Serial category; Best Original Television Music and Best Photography and Lighting. It also won major awards from the Royal Television Society, Banff Television Festival, Broadcasting Press Guild, Cologne Conference, Directors Guild of Great Britain, Edgar Awards, and the Monte Carlo TV Festival.[10]

Adaptation

State of Play was adapted into an Americanized feature film that was released in the United States in April 2009. The plot retained substantial similarities to the original six-hour series, retaining the main characters, but with its location changed to Washington, D.C., and with certain aspects condensed and changed in order to fit the two-hour format.

The film was directed by Kevin Macdonald from a screenplay written by Matthew Michael Carnahan, Tony Gilroy, Peter Morgan, and Billy Ray. Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren appear in the lead roles. In an April 2009 interview to promote the film, Affleck, who plays Congressman Stephen Collins, said he drew on the experiences of Gary Condit, Eliot Spitzer, and John Edwards while preparing for the role.[11] The film was generally well received, but not as lauded as the series.

References

  1. 1 2 McLean, Gareth. TV review: The genuine article. "The Guardian". Monday 19 May 2003.
  2. ↑ Raphael, Amy. Not much cop at fame. "The Guardian". 4 January 2006.
  3. ↑ It's the State of replay for Simm. "The Sun". 11 September 2007.
  4. ↑ "Viewing Data — Top Tens". BARB. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  5. ↑ 19 May 2003 "First Night", MediaGuardian.co.uk, Retrieved on 21 September 2005
  6. ↑ Ibid.
  7. ↑ Wright, Jonathan. Watch This: State of Play, 9pm, BBC1. "The Guardian" ("The Guide" section). Saturday 7 June 2003.
  8. ↑ Sutcliffe, Thomas. The Weekend's Television: The sticky end of the thriller. "The Independent". Monday 23 June 2003.
  9. ↑ 64th Annual Peabody Awards, May 2005.
  10. ↑ Internet Movie Database awards page for State of Play. Retrieved on 21 September 2005.
  11. ↑ "Ben Affleck: State of Play". SuicideGirls.com. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2009.

Television

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