Collateral (TV series)

Collateral is a four-part British television drama serial, written and created by David Hare, and directed by S. J. Clarkson.[1] It was first broadcast on BBC Two on 12 February 2018.

Collateral
GenreDrama
Thriller
Screenplay byDavid Hare
Directed byS. J. Clarkson
Starring
Music byRuth Barrett
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersS. J. Clarkson
George Faber
David Hare
Mark Pybus
Lucy Richer
ProducerElizabeth Binns
CinematographyBalazs Bolygo
EditorsJamie Trevill
Sacha Szwarc
Running time60 minutes
Production companyThe Forge
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Netflix
Release12 February (2018-02-12) –
5 March 2018 (2018-03-05)

The series, described by Hare as "a police procedural without any of that police attitudinising",[2] stars Carey Mulligan as DI Kip Glaspie, assigned to investigate the shooting of a pizza delivery driver in inner city south London. The ensuing story explores a complex web of characters who are all somehow connected with the story. Nathaniel Martello-White stars as Glaspie's partner, DS Nathan Bilk. Jeany Spark, Nicola Walker, John Simm and Billie Piper are also credited as principal members of the cast.[3]

The series was Hare's first original series for television, despite having written for the BBC since 1973.[4] Piers Wenger, the BBC's head of drama, described the series as "a contemporary and thought-provoking state-of-the-nation thriller that pushes the boundaries of what audiences expect."[5]

The show was produced by The Forge and distributed worldwide by All3Media, which brought Netflix on board to co-produce the series and release it internationally on 9 March 2018.[6][7] Dazzler Media released a DVD of the series on 26 March 2018.[8]

Cast

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Episodes

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No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"S. J. ClarksonDavid Hare12 February 2018 (2018-02-12)6.35
Abdullah Asif, an employee at Regal Pizza, is gunned down on the street by a hooded, masked shooter in a southwest London suburb after delivering a pizza to Karen Mars, the ex-wife of the Shadow Minister for Transport David Mars, MP. DI Kip Glaspie, newly promoted, is assigned to investigate the case. Kip questions the motives of Regal Pizza's manager Laurie Stone, after discovering that Abdullah was never meant to deliver Karen's pizza, but was sent by Stone in place of Abdullah's colleague Mikey Gowens. The key witness to the shooting, Linh Xuan Huy, gives the police a false name and address, having outstayed her visa to remain in the UK. The shooter discards their hood and is revealed to be a woman.
2"Episode 2"S. J. ClarksonDavid Hare19 February 2018 (2018-02-19)5.47
Kip questions Abdullah's sisters Fatima and Mona, who are illegal immigrants, in the hope they will shed some light on the case. However, MI5's interest in the pair sparks Kip's interest and suggests to her that there is more to Abdullah's shooting than initially meets the eye. Meanwhile, British Army Captain Sandrine Shaw faces harassment from her senior officer, Major Tim Dyson.
3"Episode 3"S. J. ClarksonDavid Hare26 February 2018 (2018-02-26)5.25
After Laurie is found dead, Kip re-interviews Fatima and Mona. David comes under scrutiny after holding a press briefing where he describes Britain as "a nasty little country". His day goes from bad to worse after uncovering evidence of Karen's addiction to drugs. Nathan, tired of Kip's methods, goes behind her back with Mi5 in an attempt to make progress on the case.
4"Episode 4"S. J. ClarksonDavid Hare5 March 2018 (2018-03-05)4.91
Sandrine threatens Tim's wife in a desperate attempt to reveal his misdeeds. Jack berates Kip for offering Fatima and Mona leave to remain in the UK. Nathan continues to leak information to MI5 in an attempt to get back at Kip. After securing the arrest of an undercover MI5 agent, Kip uses her as a bargaining tool to crack the case wide open and finally pursue those responsible for Abdullah's murder.

Critical reception

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 79%. The website's critics consensus reads, "Collateral's social commentary is sometimes overbearing, but strong performances cut through an overcrowded script to suggest that good intentions can count for something."[9] Hindustan Times called it "an addictive murder mystery",[10] while First Post said it "manages to ask important questions but doesn't provide any answers".[11]

Accolades

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In March 2019, Collateral received two nominations at the 2019 British Academy Television Awards in "Best Photography & Lighting: Fiction" and "British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress" for Billie Piper.[12]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2019 British Academy Television Awards Best Supporting Actress Billie Piper Nominated [13]
British Academy Television Craft Awards Photography & Lighting – Fiction Balazs Bolygo Nominated [14]

References

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  1. ^ "Netflix Boards BBC Two's 'Collateral'; Billie Piper & More Join David Hare Thriller". Deadline Hollywood. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  2. ^ Singh, Anita (18 January 2018). "Police dramas have been 'done to death' says writer of new BBC police drama". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Full Cast Announced for Thriller Series 'Collateral' Starring Carey Mulligan". Variety. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Latest News: Collateral". BBC.
  5. ^ "Full Cast Announced for Thriller Series 'Collateral' Starring Carey Mulligan". Variety. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Netflix, Carey Mulligan join BBC drama". TBI Vision. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Here's Everything New On Netflix March 2018: Movies, Shows, Netflix Originals, And More". Decider. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Collateral (BBC) [DVD]". Amazon UK. UK. 26 March 2018.
  9. ^ "Collateral" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  10. ^ Naahar, Rohan (12 March 2018). "Collateral review: Carey Mulligan stars in Netflix's addictive murder mystery and there goes your weekend". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  11. ^ Sharma, Manik (26 March 2018). "Collateral review: Carey Mulligan delivers a terrific performance in this flawed but timely crime drama". First Post. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  12. ^ "BAFTA Television 2019: Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards + British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Television 2019: Winners of the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards + British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Television 2019: Winners of the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards + British Academy Television Craft Awards". BAFTA. 28 March 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
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