The Reckoning: release date of BBC drama with Steve Coogan as Jimmy Savile, cast, is there a trailer?

New BBC drama The Reckoning will see actor Steve Coogan play the role of Jimmy Savile, who was exposed as one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders after his death in 2011.

The series, which will explore the many failings that lead to Savile evading justice for his crimes, is expected to be released in 2022 or 2023.

However, it isn’t without controversy, with many people asking why the drama is being made at all.

Here’s everything you need to know about The Reckoning.

What is The Reckoning about?

The Reckoning will tell the story of Jimmy Savile from his childhood years right up until his death and the scale of his abuse was uncovered.

It will follow his career at the BBC, where he hosted popular shows including Top Of The Pops and Jim’ll Fix it.

Savile was a prolific sex offender and preadator who abused hundreds of children in his lifetime.

In 2016 an inquiry into Savile discovered that some BBC staff missed opportunities to prevent the abuse.

This has led to backlash regarding The Reckoning, with people questioning why the organisation that failed to stop him, could profit from his story.

In December 2021, some of Savile’s victims requested to visit the set of The Reckoning.

Speaking to The Sun, writer Neil McKay said:

“[Savile’s] victims concerned requested to attend filming since we are telling their stories, and all appropriate safeguarding measures were put in place by production to facilitate this.”

When will The Reckoning be released?

As of yet, there has no been no confirmed release date for the series.

The show is currently still in the process of being made, but it’s possible the BBC are planning to release it in October 2022.

This would coincide with the tenth anniversary of Operation Yewtree,  which launched in October 2012 to investigate Savile’s abuse.

Who is in the cast of The Reckoning?

Steve Coogan who is better known for playing the character of Alan Partridge, will be taking on the role of Jimmy Saville.

Speaking with Nihal Arthanayake on BBC Radio Five Live about the role he said:

"The script is very well written. And it’s something that needs to be talked about because to understand how predators operate, you have to look at the whole picture”

So far the rest of the cast has not yet been confirmed.

Is there a trailer for The Reckoning?

There is no trailer yet for The Reckoning, with its release expected once filming and editing of the series has wrapped.

Why has The Reckoning received backlash?

Since the series was announced in September last year, The Reckoning has been met with backlash from Savile’s victims.

In 2020, a victim who was abused at BBC Television Centre told  The Sun:

"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.”

In a BBC statement about the series, executive producer Jeff Pope said: “The purpose of this drama is to explore how Savile’s offending went unchecked for so long, and in shining a light on this, to ensure such crimes never happen again.”

What has Steve Coogan said about playing Jimmy Savile?

Coogan has spoken openly about his decision to take on the role of Savile, commeting:

"To play Jimmy Savile was not a decision I took lightly. Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which — however harrowing — needs to be told."

He recently opened up on the “dark time” it caused him on BBC One’s The One Show.

Coogan said: “It was such a dark thing to do playing Jimmy Savile. It was quite heavy, acting with young actors playing people who he abused. It was very heavy going.”