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Lucan

Lucan

Wed Dec 11, 9-10.30pm, ITV

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Episode one
Jeff Pope's docudramas tend to create a bit of a stir. Both 'Appropriate Adult' and 'Mrs Biggs', however, transcended the criticism of those involved in the real-life events to become compelling dramas in their own right. 'Lucan' – based on John Pearson’s book ‘The Gamblers’ – does much the same, thanks in large part to another stupendous cast.

Rory Kinnear plays another bastard in aristocrat-turned-fugitive Lord Lucan, while Christopher Eccleston takes on his shifty chum John Aspinall (Michael Gambon, Catherine McCormack and Gemma Jones also pop up), apparently embroiled in a murder plot when the nanny of Lucan’s children, Sandra Rivett, is murdered and Lucan vanishes. Both make a tremendous impression, in total command of their characters.

And what of the theories over Lucan's involvement in the murder and his subsequent fate? We'll have to wait for next week's conclusion for those. But a combination of controversy, performances and a keen eye for period detail (the shady upper-class underworld is unsettlingly well realised) make this well worth your time.
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