Meet the cast of Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning
Steve Coogan stars as Jimmy Savile in the fact-based BBC One drama.
New BBC drama The Reckoning examines the life and heinous crimes of DJ and TV presenter Jimmy Savile, who sexually abused hundreds of people, many of whom were girls under the age of 16.
The series stars Steve Coogan as Savile, with executive producer Jeff Pope revealing recently that it was a difficult decision for the actor to take on the role.
Pope said: "When I asked Steve to do it, he didn’t immediately say yes, but talked to his family and friends. And they divided into two camps – you absolutely must do this, and you absolutely must not. There was no one in the middle. And it was that polarity that made him want to take it on."
Read more:
- The Reckoning's Steve Coogan defends "disturbing" morgue scene
- The Reckoning boss says series 'isn't the BBC marking its own homework'
The series also stars Siobhan Finneran and Robert Emms, but who do they play and who else stars in the series? Read on to find out more about the cast and characters in The Reckoning.
The Reckoning cast
- Steve Coogan as Jimmy Savile
- Robert Emms as Ray Teret
- Siobhan Finneran as Beryl Hullighan
- Mark Lewis Jones as Charles Hullighan
- Gemma Jones as Agnes Savile
- Mark Stanley as Dan Davies
- Michael Jibson as Bill Cotton
- Julian Rhind-Tutt as Johnnie Stewart
- Barbara Wilshere as Anna Instone
- Peter Wight as Peter Jaconelli
- Fenella Woolgar as Margaret Thatcher
- Richard Lintern as Robert Armstrong
Steve Coogan plays Jimmy Savile
Who was Jimmy Savile? Jimmy Savile was a BBC presenter and DJ who, during his lifetime, was known for presenting shows including Jim'll Fix It and Top of the Pops. Since his death it became known, following many allegations, that he had sexually abused hundreds of people throughout his life, many of whom were girls under the age of 16.
Executive producer Jeff Pope said that he and writer Neil McKay wanted to tell the story of Savile and his crimes in a drama because "it’s an enormous and important story". "This man was abusing and assaulting hundreds of people, essentially in front of our eyes," he added.
Where have I seen Steve Coogan before? Coogan is best known for his comedic role as Alan Partridge, but he's also starred in factual dramas, notably the ITV drama Stephen, based on the investigation into Stephen Lawrence's murder. He has also featured in films such as 24 Hour Party People, Night at the Museum, Tropic Thunder, In the Loop, Philomena, Stan & Ollie, Greed and The Lost King, as well as series including The Trip.
Robert Emms plays Ray Teret
Who was Ray Teret? Ray Teret was Savile's friend and at one time his chauffeur, and another radio DJ. In 2014, he was convicted of seven rapes and 11 indecent assaults, which dated back to the 1960s and 1970s. He died in prison in 2021.
Where have I seen Robert Emms before? Emms has previously been seen in series including Happy Valley, Atlantis, Chernobyl, His Dark Materials, Four Lives and Andor, as well as films such as War Horse, Kick-Ass 2 and This is Christmas.
Siobhan Finneran plays Beryl Hullighan
Who was Beryl Hullighan? Beryl Hullighan was a woman who, along with her husband Charles, worked at Leeds General Infirmary. Charles had known Savile from childhood, and the couple both saw what he was like away from the cameras. The team behind The Reckoning spoke with Beryl for their research, and Jeff Pope said they "maintained a good relationship with Beryl until her death".
He continued: "She kept saying how she wanted to see this show broadcast and that it should have been done and dealt with a long time ago. I wish she survived to be able to see it. She's a figure in the series who is never fully taken in by Savile."
Where have I seen Siobhan Finneran before? Finneran is perhaps best known for her roles as Clare in Happy Valley and Sarah in Downton Abbey, while she has also appeared in Emmerdale, The Syndicate, Benidorm, Doctor Who, Cold Feet and Time.
Mark Lewis Jones plays Charles Hullighan
Who was Charles Hullighan? Charles was Beryl's husband who also worked at Leeds General Infirmary, and who knew Savile from childhood. He passed away before development on the series began.
Where have I seen Mark Lewis Jones before? Jones has appeared in series including Merlin, Torchwood, Silent Witness, Game of Thrones, Father Brown, Stella, Chernobyl, Carnival Row, The Crown, Gangs of London, Keeping Faith, The Pact and Outlander. He has also had roles in films including Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Rebecca.
Gemma Jones plays Agnes Savile
Who was Agnes Savile? Agnes was Jimmy Savile's mother, who died in 1972. Pope said that, when working on the script, McKay realised "how complicated Savile's relationship with his mother was, and how she had grave doubts about him". "Over time, as Savile became so wealthy and successful, he swept her doubts away," he said.
Where have I seen Gemma Jones before? Jones has had roles in series and films including Bridget Jones's Diary, the Harry Potter series, Spooks, Death in Paradise, Unforgotten, Teacup Travels, Rocketman, The Crown and Gentleman Jack.
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Mark Stanley plays Dan Davies
Who is Dan Davies? Dan Davies is a journalist who interviewed Savile numerous times and wrote the book In Plain Sight: The Life and Lies of Jimmy Savile.
Where have I seen Mark Stanley before? Stanley has previously appeared in series including Game of Thrones, Dickensian, Sanditon, The Bay, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, Happy Valley and Trigger Point, as well as films such as Mr Turner and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Michael Jibson plays Bill Cotton
Who was Bill Cotton? Bill Cotton was the BBC's head of light entertainment from 1970 to 1977, before becoming controller of BBC One until 1981. He died in 2008.
Where have I seen Michael Jibson before? Jibson has had roles in films such as Cemetery Junction, Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, 1917 and Last Night in Soho, while also appeared in series including Father Brown, Quiz, COBRA, Four Lives, No Return, The Essex Serpent and The Crown.
Julian Rhind-Tutt as Johnnie Stewart
Who was Johnnie Stewart? Johnnie was a BBC television producer who was known for co-creating and co-producing Top of the Pops. He died in 2005.
Where have I seen Julian Rhind-Tutt before? Rhind-Tutt has appeared in Britannia, Silent Witness, The Witcher, The Larkins, Tom Jones and Green Wing, while his film roles include Lucy, Notting Hill, Stardust and Bridget Jones' Baby.
Additional cast includes:
- Barbara Wilshere (Albion Market) as Anna Instone - head of the BBC record library
- Peter Wight (Early Doors) as Peter Jaconelli - the major of Scarborough
- Fenella Woolgar (Call the Midwife) as Margaret Thatcher
- Richard Lintern (Silent Witness) as Robert Armstrong - a senior civil servant
All four episodes of The Reckoning are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
