Rillington Place, a gripping three-part true crime drama streaming free on BBC iPlayer, has been hailed as a 'must-watch' for fans of emotionally charged crime series like Broadchurch and Happy Valley, with critics praising 'some of the best acting ever seen on television.'
The biographical crime drama explores 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. John Christie was a serial killer and rapist who operated between the 1940s and early 1950s, and his story makes for deeply disturbing viewing.
Cast and Performances
The series features a stunning Tim Roth as John Christie, with his chilling performance earning widespread acclaim. Samantha Morton portrays Ethel Christie, Nico Mirallegro takes on Timothy Evans, and Jodie Comer appears as Beryl Evans. All have received plaudits for their exceptional work. One IMDB user review states: 'The acting, done by all, is hands down some of the best I've seen. Tim and Samantha did not miss a beat.'
Another fan added: 'Three episodes, each a compelling and enthralling watch. The acting is flawless and even the minor-part actors were genuine. So good, I watched them all twice within the same week.'
Story and Perspective
Each of the show's three episodes presents the story through the perspective of the three central figures: John Christie, Ethel Christie, and Timothy Evans, the couple's upstairs neighbour who was wrongfully put to death for John's crimes. The drama 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 true crime drama secured a BAFTA for Best Photography and Lighting: Fiction and received a nomination in the Best Production Design category.
Production and Location
As 10 Rillington Place, the house where John committed murders and buried some of the victims, no longer exists (it was torn down in the early 1970s), the home's interiors were reconstructed at BBC Scotland's Dumbarton Studios near Glasgow. The street scenes were shot in the car park of the same facility, while several other Scottish locations doubled for London.
Critical Acclaim
The true crime series has attracted acclaim from numerous quarters. One critic declared: '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 said: 'Rillington Place is a solid miniseries that is worth watching.' While one critic wrote: 'The story is as grisly and horrific as you might expect.'
One thoroughly impressed fan added: '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. It makes a difference when you have actors who are at the top of their craft.'
