# State of Play (2003)

> A London journalist investigating the murder of a young political researcher uncovers a conspiracy linking government and big business.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/3844

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 6
- Episode runtime: 58 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: crime, drama, mystery
- Created by: Paul Abbott
- Network: BBC One, BBC Four
- Cast: Bill Nighy, David Morrissey, Kelly Macdonald, John Simm, Polly Walker, Philip Glenister, James McAvoy, Michael Feast
- TMDB rating: 8.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362192/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: dense
- Violence: moderate
- Tone: tense, cynical, gritty, propulsive

## What critics say

Critics and audiences broadly acclaimed the taut, intelligent political thriller and its sharp writing and strong ensemble performances.

## Synopsis

State of Play (2003) is a British political thriller miniseries created by Paul Abbott for BBC One. Journalist Cal McAffrey (John Simm) begins investigating the murder of Sonia Baker, a young political researcher, and his reporting leads him through the corridors of London power. Working alongside a young blogger and a skeptical newsroom, he follows evidence that ties a government minister's circle, including Cameron Foster (Bill Nighy) and Stephen Collins (David Morrissey), to a private military contractor and big business interests. Each of the six hour-long episodes peels back another layer of the story, with the tension coming from deadlines, source meetings, and the constant risk that the people he trusts are compromised. The tone is tense, cynical and grounded, with an atmosphere of late night newsrooms and rain-soaked London streets. Viewers who enjoy the serialized institutional rot of The Wire, the political intrigue of Spooks, or the murder-led plotting of The Killing will find this a compact, rewarding watch. It is a single continuous story told across a single season, rewarding close attention to every scene.

## Shows like State of Play

- [Criminal Justice (2008)](https://ember.film/tv/6942)
- [The Hack (2025)](https://ember.film/tv/192837)
- [Edge of Darkness (1985)](https://ember.film/tv/12921)
- [The Last Enemy (2008)](https://ember.film/tv/6606)
- [Secret City (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/58517)
- [The Hour (2011)](https://ember.film/tv/36462)
- [New Blood (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/58684)
- [A Very British Coup (1988)](https://ember.film/tv/27329)
- [Secret State (2012)](https://ember.film/tv/54616)
- [Prey (2014)](https://ember.film/tv/54802)

---

Site overview: https://ember.film/llms.txt