This was absolutely addictive. I couldn't watch the six epsiodes fast enough! I haven't watched a series this intriguing in years! (I found this available on Blockbuster Online.)
Wikipedia: "State of Play is a British television drama serial, first broadcast on BBC One in 2003. Produced in-house by the BBC, in association with independent production company Endor Productions, it was created and written by Paul Abbott, directed by David Yates and starred David Morrissey, John Simm, Kelly Macdonald, Polly Walker, Bill Nighy, and James McAvoy. It tells the story of a newspaper's investigation into the death of a young woman, and centres around the relationship between the leading journalist and his old friend, the woman's employer."
Plot: "The serial begins with the assassination of a young man, apparently a drugs killing, and the at first coincidental death of Sonia Baker, the young researcher for Member of Parliament Stephen Collins (Morrissey). As the deaths are investigated by journalist Cal McAffrey of The Herald (Simm) and his colleagues (including Kelly Macdonald as Della Smith and Bill Nighy as editor Cameron Foster) it appears that not only were the deaths connected, but that a conspiracy links them with oil industry-backed corruption of high-ranking British government ministers.
However, the investigation takes another turn when McAffrey discovers that his friend Collins may be even more directly implicated in the death of Baker, with whom he was having an affair."
The Guardian: "Reviewing the first episode for The Guardian newspaper the day after it had aired, Gareth McLean wrote that "...it's bloody magic. The story is gripping, the acting is ace and Paul Abbott's script is outstanding. His ear for dialogue, and for different voices, is exceptional. The exposition is swift, nifty and joyously unclunky. The characters are credible and rounded. If you can count the best dramas of recent years on the fingers of both hands, it's time to grow a new finger."[1]OH DEAR. WHY DO WE HAVE TO REMAKE IT?!!
CONT: As of January 2008, State of Play is being adapted into a feature film, scheduled for release in 2008. The plot will be similar to that of the original six-hour mini-series, retaining the main characters, but condensing and changing certain aspects in order to fit the two-hour format and changing the location to the United States. The film tells of a newspaper's probe into the suspicious death of a U.S. Congressman's mistress and will explore the topical subjects of journalistic independence and the relationship between politicians and the press.[7][8][9]
The adaptation is directed by Last King of Scotland helmer Kevin Macdonald and is written by Matthew Michael Carnahan.
Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe will appear in the lead roles,[14] with support from Helen Mirren,[15] Jason Bateman,[16] Robin Wright Penn,[15] Rachel McAdams,[15] and Michael Berresse.[17] Filming was originally scheduled for November 2007, but was postponed after Brad Pitt, who initially filled Crowe's role, left the project due to a disagreement with Universal over the direction of script rewrites.[18] The postponement also led to the departure of Edward Norton, who was replaced by Affleck.[14] Principal photography started on January 11, 2008.[19]
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