Fans of dark, compelling crime dramas are discovering an underappreciated gem on BBC iPlayer: Rillington Place, a three-part biographical series that has been hailed as 'outstanding' with 'some of the best acting' ever seen on television. The show, reminiscent of Broadchurch, delves into the real-life case of John Christie, one of Britain's most prolific serial killers, and the miscarriage of justice that led to Timothy Evans' wrongful execution.
The Story Behind Rillington Place
The series examines the domestic life of John Christie and his wife Ethel, while Christie carried out multiple murders in the 1940s and early 1950s, allegedly without his wife's knowledge. Each of the three episodes presents events from the perspective of a central figure: John Christie, Ethel Christie, and Timothy Evans, the couple's upstairs tenant who was wrongfully hanged for Christie's crimes. Directed by Craig Viveiros, the series first aired on BBC One in November 2016.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The true crime drama won a BAFTA for Best Photography and Lighting: Fiction and was nominated for Best Production Design. Critics and viewers alike have praised the cast's performances. One reviewer described it as 'all very grim and ominous, but the first part is a slow burn that's never anything short of completely captivating.' Another called it 'a solid miniseries that is worth watching,' while a third noted 'the story is as grisly and horrific as you might expect.'
Cast and Performances
Tim Roth delivers a chilling performance as John Christie, earning widespread acclaim. Samantha Morton portrays Ethel Christie, Nico Mirallegro plays Timothy Evans, and Jodie Comer appears as Beryl Evans. One IMDB user wrote: 'Excellent Creepy Drama... an outstanding retelling of the murders committed by the extremely creepy soft spoken Mr Christie who was brilliantly played by Tim Roth.' Another fan stated: 'The acting, done by all, is hands down some of the best I've seen. Tim and Samantha did not miss a beat.'
Production Details
Since the actual 10 Rillington Place was demolished in the early 1970s, the interior sets were reconstructed at BBC Scotland's Dumbarton Studios near Glasgow. External street scenes were filmed in the car park of the same facility, with several other Scottish locations standing in for London. The series has attracted a dedicated following, with one viewer noting: 'Three episodes, each a compelling and enthralling watch. The acting is flawless... So good, I watched them all twice within the same week.'
Rillington Place is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
