State of Play

The murder of Sonia Baker, a young political researcher, leads journalist Cal McCaffrey to uncover complex links between government and big business.

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.

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

• The Wireserialized conspiracy thriller, journalists uncovering corporate and government corruption, tense political drama
• SpooksBritish political conspiracy thriller with journalist protagonist and power-and-media tension
• The Killingtightly plotted murder mystery tied to institutional cover-up, short miniseries format

Created by

Paul Abbott

Release Date

2003-05-18

Episode runtime

58 min

Rating

8.3 / 10 (118)

What is State of Play about?

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

What is State of Play like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of State of Play as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as dense.

Is State of Play violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in State of Play as moderate.

What did critics think of State of Play?

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

Which shows are like State of Play?

Shows with a similar feel include The Wire, Spooks, and The Killing.

How long is State of Play?

State of Play: 1 season, 6 episodes.

Is State of Play still running?

No, State of Play has ended.