The three-part true crime series Rillington Place, described as 'outstanding' and featuring 'some of the best acting' on television, is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer. The biographical drama focuses on the real-life case of one of Britain's most notorious serial killers, John Christie, and the wrongful execution of Timothy Evans in his place.
Chilling Portrayal of a Notorious Killer
Rillington Place examines the domestic life of John Christie and his wife Ethel, while John carried out a series of murders supposedly without his wife's knowledge. The series presents the narrative from the perspective of the three principal characters: John Christie, Ethel Christie, and Timothy Evans, the couple's upstairs neighbour who was wrongfully executed for John's crimes. Directed by Craig Viveiros, the programme originally aired on BBC One in November 2016.
Award-Winning Production and Stellar Cast
The drama features Tim Roth as John Christie, with widespread acclaim for his chilling performance. Samantha Morton plays Ethel Christie, Nico Mirallegro portrays Timothy Evans, and Jodie Comer appears as Beryl Evans. The series won a BAFTA for Best Photography and Lighting: Fiction and received a nomination in the Best Production Design category. The home where Christie committed the murders, 10 Rillington Place, was demolished in the early 1970s, so interiors were reconstructed at BBC Scotland's Dumbarton Studios near Glasgow, with exterior scenes filmed in the car park and additional Scottish locations standing in for London.
Critical and Audience Acclaim
Critics have praised the series, with one writing: 'All very grim and ominous, but the first part of Rillington Place is a slow burn that's never anything short of completely captivating.' Another reviewer noted: 'Rillington Place is a solid miniseries that is worth watching.' A third critic stated: 'The story is as grisly and horrific as you might expect.' An IMDB user review reads: 'Excellent Creepy Drama. Well... this was an outstanding retelling of the murders committed by the extremely creepy soft spoken Mr Christie who was brilliantly played by Tim Roth. It was a very dark, superbly written three part drama. The cast did a stellar job in bringing the characters to life. I highly recommend this series especially if you like true life crime dramas.' Another fan enthused: 'The acting, done by all, is hands down some of the best I've seen. Tim and Samantha did not miss a beat. If you love dark, slow, and terrifying then this is for you!' A viewer added: 'Three episodes, each a compelling and enthralling watch. The acting is flawless. So good, I watched them all twice within the same week. You won't be disappointed.' One audience review concluded: 'Good to the last drop. They don't make many well acted murder series from the perspective of the killer. This series is certainly interesting and well made.'
Rillington Place is available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
