Steve Coogan was seen sporting a bizarre floral robe as he again transformed into disgraced Jimmy Savile to film scenes for the BBC drama The Reckoning.
56-year-old actor wore the elaborate cloak as he filmed a scene in which the TV host hosted a 1969 episode on Songs Of Praise.
Coogan will take on the role of Savile (who died in 2011) in a BBC drama. This will recount his rise as a radio pirate disc jockey, and eventually mainstream television success with shows like Jim’ll Fix It and Top Of The Pops.
Filming: Steve Coogan was seen sporting a bizarre floral robe as he again transformed into disgraced Jimmy Savile to film scenes for the BBC drama The Reckoning
Coogan took Savile’s place during a shoot on location in north England. He filmed scenes of Savile at age 43.
He had a radical transformation in his appearance, thanks to the addition of a prosthetic chin that helped shape his features into an angular, leery Savile.
Coogan was wearing a cream roll rick and a blonde bright wig during the scene. He also held a wooden stick and talked into a microphone.
Seeing double: The actor, 56, sported the elaborate cloak while filming a scene where the late TV presenter presented a 1969 episode of Songs Of Praise
Action: Coogan will play Savile – who died in 2011 – in forthcoming BBC drama, which will give an account of his rise to fame as a popular pirate radio disc jockey and eventual mainstream TV success on shows such as Top Of The Pops and Jim’ll Fix It
Coogan was surrounded with extras, who played choir members. Meanwhile, the crew of production were also seen standing close by.
The shocking report details Savile’s years of abuse in the NHS, and how managers turned their backs because of Savile’s fame and the money he donated to charity.
One victim was a 10-year-old girl who had been raped ten times while she was visiting the hospital her parents were working. An investigation revealed that the allegations were not taken seriously and never escalated to higher management.
On location: Stepping into Savile’s shoes during another location shoot in the north of England, Coogan, 56, filmed scenes depicting Savile in 1969, when he was 43-years old
Action! Action!
A total of 177 people, aged five to 75 years, were abused by him in 41 hospitals. His abuses were most frequent at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire.
Many have criticized the BBC’s decision to document Savile’s life. However, BBC stated they had worked closely with Savile’s victims and would present a story “with sensitivity and respect”.
Steve Partridge’s comedic role as Alan Partridge was a well-known one. Steve previously said that the decision not to play Savile wasn’t something he took lightly.
He said, “Neil McKay’s intelligent script tackles sensitively an horrific story that, though it is harrowing to tell.”
Plot: A damning report detailed Savile’s decades of abuse across the NHS and how management turned a blind eye because of his fame and the amount of cash he raised for charity
The Reckoning: Coogan was surrounded by extras who were playing choir members, while the production crew were also pictured standing nearby
Savile was a British TV star who rose from humble beginnings to achieve success. He died in 2011 at the age of 84.
He fought against growing suspicions about his illicit exploits during his long and distinguished career at the BBC in his last years. Victim testimony is expected to be told in the new drama.
BBC conducted an inquiry about his conduct and found that at least 72 children were molested by him over a period of four decades. The first victim in 1959 was his second, the last in 2006.
Their 2016 report revealed that his horrific abuse reign could be traced “in every BBC building’s corridors, canteens or staircases”
Savile is hidden in plain view: Although he was beloved by the public, his sexual abuse of women would eventually be discovered. Here he is pictured at the Wren House International Telephone Exchange in 1975
Jeff Pope, the executive producer of this program, stated that “I believe this is a tale that must be told.” Why did Jimmy Savile seem to be so resistant to being examined and investigated by the law?
“Steve is a master at portraying complex characters. He will treat this role with great care and integrity.”
BBC says that it will also draw upon ‘extensive, wide-ranging research resources’ for the project. This includes a study of the long-lasting impact of Savile’s crimes as well as the feelings of powerlessness felt by his victims.
Here he comes: Steve Coogan returned to work on Tuesday morning as he filmed his latest scenes as disgraced TV presenter Jimmy Savile in a controversial new drama based on his life, death and posthumous notoriety as a serial sex offender
Piers Wenger Controller from BBC Drama said: “The Jimmy Savile story is one of most poignant and disturbing of all time. These crimes are not sensationalistically portrayed, but we want to speak for his victims.
“We will support survivors in telling their stories with compassion and respect. Also, we will examine Jimmy Savile’s institutions and investigate the circumstances that led to these crimes.
“Drama can tackle real-life sensitive subjects. It also allows for the consideration of the effects on survivors of crime and the lessons that could be learned to prevent it from happening again.
It is not yet known when the series will be released. Filming continues in Manchester, with the project expected to air over the following months.