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IMDbPro

State of Play

  • TV Mini Series
  • 20032003
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 5h 12m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,916
384
Amelia Bullmore, Deborah Findlay, Kelly Macdonald, James McAvoy, David Morrissey, Bill Nighy, and John Simm in State of Play (2003)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:59
2 Videos
59 Photos
CrimeDramaMystery
In London, a naïve young politician becomes a suspect when his female assistant and mistress are killed in a suspicious accident. The politician's investigative journalist friend and his tea... Read allIn London, a naïve young politician becomes a suspect when his female assistant and mistress are killed in a suspicious accident. The politician's investigative journalist friend and his team uncover a government conspiracy.In London, a naïve young politician becomes a suspect when his female assistant and mistress are killed in a suspicious accident. The politician's investigative journalist friend and his team uncover a government conspiracy.
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
10K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,916
384
  • Stars
    • John Simm
    • David Morrissey
    • Kelly Macdonald
  • Stars
    • John Simm
    • David Morrissey
    • Kelly Macdonald
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 BAFTA Awards

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    2003

    Videos2

    State of Play (2003)
    Trailer 0:59
    Watch State of Play (2003)
    State Of Play: Clip 1
    Trailer 0:59
    Watch State Of Play: Clip 1

    Photos59

    Kelly Macdonald and John Simm in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald and Benedict Wong in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald and John Simm in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald in State of Play (2003)
    Kelly Macdonald, John Simm, and Marc Warren in State of Play (2003)
    David Morrissey and Polly Walker in State of Play (2003)
    Geraldine James and Bill Nighy in State of Play (2003)
    Amelia Bullmore and Benedict Wong in State of Play (2003)
    State of Play (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Simm
    John Simm
    • Cal McCaffrey
    David Morrissey
    David Morrissey
    • Stephen Collins
    Kelly Macdonald
    Kelly Macdonald
    • Della Smith
    Bill Nighy
    Bill Nighy
    • Cameron Foster
    Amelia Bullmore
    Amelia Bullmore
    • Helen Preger
    Benedict Wong
    Benedict Wong
    • Pete Cheng
    Rebekah Staton
    Rebekah Staton
    • Liz
    Philip Glenister
    Philip Glenister
    • DCI William Bell
    Polly Walker
    Polly Walker
    • Anne Collins
    James McAvoy
    James McAvoy
    • Dan Foster
    Marc Warren
    Marc Warren
    • Dominic Foy
    Michael Feast
    Michael Feast
    • Andrew Wilson
    Johann Myers
    Johann Myers
    • Sonny Stagg
    Tom Burke
    Tom Burke
    • Syd
    Deborah Findlay
    Deborah Findlay
    • Greer Thornton
    James Laurenson
    James Laurenson
    • George Fergus
    Christopher Simpson
    Christopher Simpson
    • Adam Greene
    Maureen Hibbert
    Maureen Hibbert
    • Olicia Stagg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The set of the House of Commons chamber is the same one that was a part of Granada Studios Tour. It was purchased personally by the scriptwriter Paul Abbott so it could be used in the drama; otherwise it would have been destroyed when the Tour closed, and he feared it would take too long to get the necessary money from the BBC. It is currently kept in storage in Oxford.
    • Quotes
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Connections
      Featured in Trust Me - I'm a Politician (2003)

    User reviews40

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Possibly the best TV drama ever made
    Paul Abbott is a genius. His writing here is taut and intelligent, just like anything else he has done. This BBC production is truly flawless. From the writing to direction to the acting, it is outstanding. This is exhilarating and challenging TV that, though politically-charged, crucially develops interesting characters that you can care about. The plot is complex, as the best political thrillers are, and delivers a TV drama that hopefully shuts up those who say that us Brits can't make TV like the Yanks. Yes, American TV is great but the marathon seasons and multiple writers are exhausting and create bloated, sometimes frustrating TV. Look at Lost, it is as easy to hate as it is to love and becomes dull frequently in the flabby, direction-less mid-season hell. Not here though. Six streamlined parts that never let up the pace and never loosen their grip on the audience. 'State of Play' keeps you hooked and leaves you begging for more, as with all great pieces of entertainment. You'll be sucked into this world and won't want to leave.

    Credit must be equally divided between its makers, and the direction is every bit as thrilling as the writing, and ,accordingly, David Yates is moving on to bigger things with the Harry Potter franchise. The tremendous cast all deliver as you'd expect, with David Morrissey and John Simm excellent as the leads and a stunning supporting cast that includes Kelly MacDonald, Philip Glenister, Polly Walker, Patrick Brennan, Shauna MacDonald, Rebekah Staton, James McAvoy, Marc Warren and, of course, the ever-delightful Bill Nighy.

    More joy is found in the pulsating soundtrack, tight editing and cinematography.

    Overall, 'State of Play' is among the most thought-provoking and exhilarating thrillers you'll ever see and is quite possibly the best thing to have been on TV; British, American or otherwise.
    helpful•53
    12
    • keysersoze13
    • Dec 15, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 18, 2003 (United Kingdom)
      • United Kingdom
      • BBC (United Kingdom)
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Endor Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 5 hours 12 minutes
      • Color
      • Stereo

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    Amelia Bullmore, Deborah Findlay, Kelly Macdonald, James McAvoy, David Morrissey, Bill Nighy, and John Simm in State of Play (2003)
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