
BBC's forgotten 'masterpiece' series with Hollywood A-lister and Walking Dead star now free to watch
Viewers are urged to rediscover a neglected BBC series that's now completely free to stream online.
This six-part, addictive show debuted prior to the era of streaming services, premiering on the BBC back in 2003.
The political thriller begins with the death of an MP's assistant and the theft of a briefcase, which prompts the bereaved politician to enlist the help of his former campaign strategist and a reporter pal to unravel the murky deaths, reports Surrey Live.
From the get-go, audiences were strapped in for a wild ride as the programme has maintained an impressive 8.3/10 rating on IMDb.
The drama features an impressive lineup including big screen star James McAvoy, David Morrissey from The Walking Dead, Bill Nighy known for Love Actually, Kelly MacDonald of Trainspotting and Boardwalk Empire fame, John Simm who starred in Life on Mars and Doctor Who, and Philip Glenister, also of Life on Mars renown.
Additionally, there were cameos from a pre-Game of Thrones Rory McCann (known better as The Hound), Polly Walker from Bridgerton, Benedict Wong of Marvel cinematic fame, and Tom Burke, who would later headline the detective series Strike.
State of Play made such a splash that it sparked a Hollywood adaptation in 2009 featuring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Dame Helen Mirren, and Rachel McAdams, though many argue that the film doesn't hold a candle to the original series.
On IMDb, fans have lauded the series, with one user commenting: "This BBC political thriller mini-series is far superior to the American remake.
"If you like newsroom dramas, and films involving investigative journalism then you'll love this."
One ecstatic reviewer gave a 10/10 score, sharing: "What makes a good political thriller? Some things are obvious. Firstly, strong believable characters. Secondly, a fast-paced, complex, dazzling plot.
"But the plot must resolve into something comprehensible - there may appear to be one hundred mysteries, but beneath the smoke and mirrors, there must be one story.
"Anyone can write an infinite collection of coincidences and conspiracies - but a strong story makes simple sense in the end."
Another thrilled viewer exclaimed: "What a trip watching this masterpiece.
"It's a fast moving intelligent thriller that had me glued to the couch... more addictive than Crack!".
"The acting is convincing, the plot is thick, the script is delicious and the characters are vivid."
You can now catch State of Play streaming at no cost whatsoever on the spanking new platform U, which also boasts a reboot of Bergerac, Louis Theroux's L.A. Stories, the stylish Mad Men, crime drama Annika, as well as vintage episodes of EastEnders, The Shield, and Holby City.
This service provides your gateway to UKTV's no-cost channels like UandDave, UandDrama, UandW, and UandYesterday.
Boot up U online by heading over to u.co.uk, sign up without spending a penny, and you're set to bask in thousands of hours of gratis telly. While U doesn't charge a fee, it does feature ads throughout its content.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bring Her Back star has an insanely famous grandad and fans are only just realising
We'd love to be a fly on the wall at their family get togethers The Philippou brothers' highly-anticipated horror film Bring Her Back is out in the UK tomorrow (July 26), two years on from their critically-acclaimed cinematic debut, Talk To Me. Bring Her Back tells the story of two siblings, Piper and Andy, who are fostered following the untimely death of their father. However, their new caregiver Laura (Sally Hawkins) is still grieving the loss of her own daughter, and acts in increasingly odd ways after their arrival at her home. Among the cast are rising Australian stars Jonah Wren Phillips (Sweet Tooth) and Sora Wong, alongside British actor Billy Barratt. Billy, who plays Andy in the film, may already look familiar to some due to his long list of acting credits which includes appearances in Kraven the Hunter, Sharknado 5 and Invasion. He became the youngest actor ever to win an International Emmy Award for Best Actor when he was just 13 thanks to his role in BBC drama, Responsible Child. However, what fans may not know is that Billy has an insanely famous grandad. The star is related to Welsh music icon Shakin' Stevens (real name Michael Barratt). The music legend's hits include Merry Christmas Everyone, Because I Love You and Give Me Your Heart Tonight. He isn't the only famous family member either. Billy's dad is a sought-after mix engineer called Dean James Barratt who has worked across film and TV and with some big music acts too, including Jess Glynne and Craig David. Shaky, as he is known by fans, is Dean's dad. Meanwhile Billy's mum is also a famous face. Carolyn Owlett is a model, TV and radio host and singer in The 411. She also takes on the role of manager for Billy. Ahead of Bring Her Back's UK release, Billy shared how he got into the mindset for his character Andy. In an interview with Deadline, he revealed: "There were moments where Danny [Philippou] would basically lock me in a room by myself, and he goes, 'Just try and get in character.' "He shut the door, I'm not allowed to leave. I ended up just sitting there with no phone, no nothing — which is great, by the way. I just sat there for ages, and then when I came back outside of that door, back into the scene … you just feel like you are there are in it." He admitted that the technique had actually developed him as an actor, adding: "Seeing the effect it had actually helped me so much, not just in the script but in future projects as well. So thank you, Danny." Bring Her Back releases in UK cinemas July 26


Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Gavin And Stacey legend to join Doctor Who star and huge other celeb guests on BBC Radio 2 next week
Gavin And Stacey's Alison Steadman is set to join a host of other star-studded guests for a special week on BBC Radio 2 next week. To kick off the summer holidays, listeners can expect to hear from plenty of famous voices across Radio 2 and Radio 6. Alison, 78, will join her Gavin And Stacey co-star Rob Brydon Wednesday morning to host Radio 2's flagship show. She'll begin her morning joining Scott Mills Breakfast Show with Here We Go co-star Jim Howick. Doctor Who star Billie Piper will be joining her co-star Joanna Lumley on Wednesday's Craig Charles' 6 Music show. Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, 22, will be appearing on the same show on Monday. The 22-year-old actor, who also performs in band The Aubreys, will appear in the final series of Netflix 's Stranger Things in November. Last month, Scott Mills was forced to issue a live apology after holding a full-blown 'funeral service' for Call The Midwife on his Radio 2 show. The Radio 2 presenter, 51, devoted an entire segment of his Breakfast Show to reports claiming the BBC series would come to an end after its fifteenth season next year. Treating the news with dramatic flair, Scott played sombre funeral-style music and even opened a phone line for devastated fans to call in and share their heartbreak. However things got awkward after he was told only moments later that the beloved drama hadn't been axed after all. Opening the segment, he declared: 'This morning, we woke up to the news that the show that never ends is indeed ending. I am sorry if this is how you are finding out.' As he confirmed the series in question was Call the Midwife, he added: 'It is ending, the fifteenth series will be the last one. 'We opened our phone lines to offer you support in these times because we've all laughed and cried and gasped at some of the births. Lots of you have been messaging in and using the helpline.' Listeners flooded the show with emotional voice notes, reminiscing about the programme's most memorable moments. One even expressed hope the series might return, to which Scott firmly replied: 'No it won't.' But just ten minutes later, Scott was forced to backtrack dramatically after being handed a statement from BBC bosses live on air. Sounding sheepish, he said: 'Good Morning, I may have done a bad thing here so I'm going to read this prepared statement from the BBC which I've just received.' He then read word-for-word a response from the BBC, which said: 'The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. 'As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere!'


North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Bafta-nominated actor Micheal Ward charged with rape and sexual assault
The 27-year-old, who has starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, said 'I deny the charges against me entirely' and said he had co-operated with police fully throughout their investigation. Ward is accused of offences against one woman in January 2023, the Metropolitan Police said. The force said he is charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault. Ward, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on August 28, the Crown Prosecution Service said. In a statement issued after the charges were announced, Ward said: 'I deny the charges against me entirely. 'I have co-operated fully with the police throughout their investigation and will continue to co-operate. 'I recognise that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared. 'Given those proceedings, I am unable to comment further.' Following the charges, Detective Superintendent Scott Ware said: 'Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward – we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports.' The Jamaican-born actor was awarded the Bafta Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Bafta for his role in BBC's Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire Of Light. Ward, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge last year and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023. He is due to star in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which is due to be released in the UK next month.