It’s official: The Reckoning will be released on the BBC this month, following a decision to delay the controversial series.

The Reckoning is a four-part factual drama that follows the life of disgraced entertainer Jimmy Savile. The drama has been produced by ITV Studios and is written by Neil McKay (Appropriate Adult), with Jeff Pope (The Moors Murders) as executive producer.

One of the BBC’s most popular presenters while alive, he was outed as a serial abuser after his death. Savile used his involvement in the BBC, hospitals, prisons, charities and relationships within the industry, the Catholic Church and even the royal family to ingratiate himself and largely avoid controversy while alive.

Watch the trailer for The Reckoning below:

This factual drama series, starring Steve Coogan as the notorious sex offender, traces his life traced throughout the decades.

So, what can viewers expect from this contentious drama? 

The drama series details the life of notorious sexual offender Jimmy Savile looks at how he used his position and influence to cement himself as an unsuspecting serial abuser.

The series has been the centre of controversy following criticism that it could bring up painful memories for Savile’s many victims.

Speaking to the press, the BBC’s chief content office Charlotte Moore said that the BBC “has a strong track record” in factual drama about controversial subjects and stressed that “it would not be right for me to censor ideas from very respected writers who have written about similar subjects in the past”.

The BBC confirmed that four survivors of Savile’s abuse who contributed to the drama will feature in the series and will be interviewed on camera to provide further insight and reflection on their difficult experiences.

The factual drama also aims to examine the impact his crimes had on his victims and the powerlessness many felt when they tried to raise the alarm.

We know that Bafta winner Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge) will star as Savile. In the newly released photo, we see him sporting one of Savile’s trademark tracksuits with a cigar in hand. 

Joining him will be fellow Bafta-winner Gemma Jones (Marvellous), Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley), Mark Lewis Jones (Outlander) and Mark Stanley (Happy Valley.)

In a press release, Coogan said that playing the role of the notorious sexual offender was “not one he took lightly”.

“Neil McKay has written an intelligent script tackling sensitively a horrific story which – however harrowing – needs to be told,” he said.

The Reckoning premieres on BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 9 October 2023.

Image: ITV Studios; BBC