On Thursday, Steve Coogan continued filming the BBC drama The Reckoning. He plays the role of DJ Jimmy Savile.
The 56-year old Alan Partridge actor was seen running in Manchester in a Seventies-inspired suit, heavy gold rings, and shock of black hair. He was being styled into a younger version of the star who died in 2011.
The scenes Steve shot for the show, which will air next year, date back to the 1950s when Savile didn’t have the peroxide blonde bob for which he was known later in his life and before his fall from grace.
Steve ran alongside Robert Emms, 35, who is portraying Savile’s chauffeur Ray Teret, who was convicted of rape and indecent assault in 2014 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was 79 years old when he died in prison on May 20, 2021.
Changes: Steve Coogan continued shooting new BBC drama The Reckoning on Thursday, in which he portrays notorious DJ Jimmy Savile
Steve looked strained as he ran alongside the canal in the burgundy tracksuit and white piping. This outfit is almost identical to many Savile’s.
His chest hair was visible from underneath his track top, while his fingers were stacked high with gold rings. His hair was styled in a dark brown color.
Robert, playing Teret, wore a light-blue crew-neck top and dark blue trousers while he ran alongside his costar in the park.
Last month, it was confirmed that the BBC had ordered the show. The show will follow Savile through his childhood, career and prolific child-sex offences. However, many feel the dramatisation is too premature after the offences were revealed.
Different look: The Alan Partridge actor, 56, was seen jogging in a Manchester park wearing a Seventies-inspired tracksuit, heavy gold rings and a shock of dark hair, as he was styled into a young version of the disgraced star, who died in 2011
Changing look: The scenes Steve was shooting for the show, which is due to air next year, date as far back as the 1950s, when Savile had dark hair
Disgusting: Steve ran alongside Robert Emms, 35, who is portraying Savile’s chauffeur Ray Teret. Teret was convicted for rape in 2014 and sentenced to 25 year imprisonment. He was 79 years old when he died in prison on May 20, 2021.
On track: Steve was looking strained as he ran alongside a canal while sporting the burgundy tracksuit with white piping, which is near-identical to many of Savile’s ensembles
On the run: He had chest hair visible from beneath his track top while his fingers were stacked with gold rings and his hair was styled into a dark brown do
Earlier this month, BBC drama boss Piers Wenger defended The Reckoning when he spoke during a press conference, in which he sought to quell concerns that the series had been commissioned too soon after Savile’s crimes came to light.
Wenger stated that it’s been a decade since Jimmy Savile’s death [and]It will be a decade after his behavior first came to the public’s attention. We are trying to help the victims.
He continued: ‘[We want to tell]They were treated with the utmost respect and sensitively. There are many important questions still to be answered about Savile. It’s important that the BBC tells that story.
Changes: He was not seen with the wiry, peroxide blond bob for which he became known later in life and prior to his fall from grace
Shoot: The group was focusing on the duo while they ran along a canal.
Speeding: Both men wore similar sporting outfits
Wenger was also asked about the potential for dramatized shows like The Reckoning to add any additional information that is not yet covered by the factual documentaries on Savile.
He said: “The documentaries that have been shown you the heinous nature of his crimes, but the one I’ve yet seen that answers the question, “How did this happen ?”’?”
He stated that The Reckoning was ‘extensively researched and that many survivors are involved in its making.
Scenes: Steve has spoken out at length about his decision to play the DJ
Capture: Cast, crew and the duo walked ahead to capture the scene
Steve looked strain as he shot the difficult scenes.
Earlier: Steve depicts a younger Savile, with darker hair (Savile image from 1976).
Many criticize the BBC for deciding to chronicle Savile’s life. This is not the first time that the BBC has stressed they worked with his victims, and will tell the story ‘with sensitivity & respect’.
Steve, who is well-known for his portrayal of fictional comedy character Alan Partridge in a statement, previously stated that the decision not to play Savile was not something he took lightly.
He said, “Neil McKay wrote an intelligent script that tackles sensitively a horrible story, however harrowing, which needs to be told.”
Savile, who rose from humble working-class roots to become one of Britain’s most beloved television stars, died in 2011 at the age of 84.
Lead role: Steve, who famously portrays fictional comedic character Alan Partridge, previously explained in a statement the decision to play Savile was not one ‘I took lightly’
New look: Savile is synonymous with his unique style of jewellery, tracksuits, and other accessories
On set: Steve was pictured wearing a jester outfit earlier this month as he filmed scenes in character as Savile
He fought to quell speculation about his illegal acts throughout his distinguished career at the BBC in his final years. Victim testimony is expected be brought to life on the new drama.
An inquiry by the BBC into his actions revealed that he had molested at most 72 children over a four-decade campaign of sexual abuse, with his first victim in 1959, and his last victim in 2006.
Their 2016 report revealed that his horrific reign of abuse could be traced “in the corridors of every BBC building’.
It is not yet known when the series will be released. Filming will continue in Manchester for the next few months.
Shocking: Savile, who rose from a humble working-class upbringing to become one of British television’s biggest stars, passed away aged 84 in 2011
Shoot: In his final years, he fought to quell growing speculation about his illegal exploits throughout his illustrious career with the BBC – with victim testimony expected to be brought to life in the new drama
Speeding: The duo looked tired as they ran in their disgraced outfits
Changing your look: The scenes were shot in Manchester Park