The controversial factual drama about the crimes of the disgraced entertainer Jimmy Savile is set to air on the BBC soon.

The Reckoning stars Steve Coogan as Savile and has spent a long time in production, with a planned release in 2022 reportedly being delayed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

It will trace the life of Savile from a working-class background to one of the biggest stars in television and will also focus on his years of sexual abuse and the impact he had on his victims.

Saville died in October 2011 aged 84 having never been brought to justice for his crimes.

Brentwood Live: Steve Coogan portrays Savile in the seriesSteve Coogan portrays Savile in the series (Image: Ian West/PA)

The project as a whole has provoked controversy with some questioning the need to retell such events, but Coogan has urged commentators to "see it before you judge it", the Radio Times reports.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast last year he said: "There’s this strong, strange feeling towards it; one of wanting to put it behind us, not wanting to talk about it and, as a rule, I think it’s better to talk about it.

"By not talking about it, you don’t get to the nub of that and if you don’t look at it you’re destined for those things to happen again. The drama answers the question: how did he get away with it?

"The drama answers that question which is a very important one."

The series will also feature interviews with four of Savile's victims.

The Reckoning is written by Neil McKay, whose past credits include other true crime dramas, including Four Lives and Appropriate Adult.

BBC's The Reckoning full cast

  • Steve Coogan as Jimmy Savile
  • Robert Emms as Ray Teret
  • Michael Jibson as Bill Cotton
  • Gemma Jones as Agnes Savile
  • Mark Lewis Jones as Charles Hullighan
  • Eric Morley as Neil Pearson
  • Siobhan Finneran as Beryl Hullighan
  • Mark Stanley as Dan Davies
  • Julian Rhind-Tutt as Johnnie Stewart
  • Barbara Wilshere as Anna Instone
  • Faye McKeever as Alison
  • Pearce Quigley as Albie
  • Peter Wight as Peter Jaconelli

When will BBC's The Reckoning be on TV?

The first episode of The Reckoning will air at 9pm on BBC One on Monday, October 9.

There will be four episodes in total, with the second airing at 9pm on Tuesday, October 10.

The third and fourth episodes are likely to air on the following Monday and Tuesday.