Viewers have claimed that Steve Coogan is so ‘eerily good’ as Jimmy Savile that they have even turned the show off due to his portrayal of the sick and twisted pervert who got away from his crimes, during his lifetime.
The programme first aired on Monday night and its second episode was shown on BBC on Tuesday evening.
Jimmy Savile Steve Coogan
The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan wrote: “Steve Coogan is chillingly brilliant as Jimmy Savile. Coogan captures the charm and creepy depravity of the notorious abuser. But this is a horrific tale most of us already know – and the BBC’s depressing drama adds little of value.”
“Also problematic is the lack of interrogation, in a drama shown on the BBC (though it is technically an independent production by ITV), to the BBC’s role in enabling or protecting the valuable property they had in Savile,” she added.
Reactions
1.
“Steve Coogan is giving the performance of his career in #TheReckoning. The resemblance to Saville’s mannerisms is uncanny. I can’t help think that it must have taken its toll on Steve Coogan because some of the scenes are sinister and hard to stomach.”
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3.
“A brilliant performance by coogan whom took the script to ensure the truth is told and to ensure secrecy stops here . Chilling and a weird trip looking back on things that were supposed to be good and it is was hiding pure evil x my thoughts with the survivors x”
4.
“Coogan is frighteningly good at being Saville, so much so at times you’d swear it’s really him, uncanny performance, never seen any actor carry another off on this level. Tremendous acting.”
5.
“What a risk. For an actor to take on the role of Savile. But I could barely see Steve Coogan, it was all Savile The genius of Coogans performance Outstanding Congratulations to the entire team.”
