The Trial of Christine Keeler

This 'based on true events' drama is a creative imagining of the 'sleezy' world of sex and power in the British government in the early nineteen sixties. It is well written, cast and acted with stellar performances from well known British actors such as James Norton, Ben Miles, Michael Maloney, Anton Lesser and Tim McInnerny.

"They decided to punish us and then decided on the crime" just about sums up the message of this powerful drama. It left me with a strong sense that, though we can blame individuals or institutions, in the end it's we, the public, who decide the fate of those we love to hate.

On reflection this drama does something rather clever. It puts us in the shoes of the teenage Christine Keeler and shows us how she saw Stephen as a trustworthy friend - in many ways, just as vulnerable as she was.

In fact this drama should have been called 'The Trial of Stephen Ward' - as this is by far the most dramatic part of the story. James Norton is fabulous as the bohemian doctor who is presented as an artistic innocent who 'could not hate anyone'. At first I found him creepy and annoying (please don't say 'little baby' again!) - but he grew on me as a free spirit who is authentic in his friendships - helping me understand how the young Christine could fall for him and trust him.

We like clear cut lines on who we should be rooting for. But in this historical social drama the boundaries are blurred - just like in real life. However - we have to remind ourselves that all Stephen's friends are either young girls or powerful men... and we can't ignore that he was - whether he (or she) knew it or not - grooming them...

It's a great thought provoking and disturbing production and I thoroughly recommend it.

Can just about remember the Profumo affair so was interested to see how it was treated.

Think the story is accurate as I remember it and showing it from Keeler's perspective gives some insights into its twists and turns.

On the downside, the constant flashbacks add little to the narrative other than confusion and James Norton is unbelievably wooden as Stephen Ward.

Just seen episode 5 and I would modify my view on James Norton's performance during the trial. Still think he was poor up to that point but redeems himself in this episode.

By contrast, Sophie Cookson is both totally believable and looks remarkably like the eponymous character.

His constant repetition of "little baby!" when speaking to Christine is grating and, probably, out of character even for early sixties vernacular.

Could have been much better....

Some of these reviews bewilder me. The story is well,and accurately told and beautifully acted. It really catches the spirit of the time, a time I remember.

I lived through the time of the Profumo scandal, and my father was a journalist on the Daily Mirror. Even so, I would have to do some research to name some of the incidental political figures and their roles. None of the Cold War paranoia comes across, which could explain why the mere suspicion of Christine Keeler having relationships with the Minister of War and the military attaché of the Soviet Embassy caused hysteria in the corridors of power and the media. On top of that was the British government's fear of the reaction in Washington to this scandal, since the US government was already writing off the British government and intelligence establishment as a load of incompetent chinless wonders. Christine Keeler herself, if she was as ignorant of events as she is portrayed, is not the person best placed to make the situation understandable. Six hours of bewilderment will be hard to keep up with, however well acted. It's also likely to bewilder the audience, and this production lacks the dramatic tension to keep them involved.

James Norton and Sophie Cookson are a revelation in this series. Powerful and relevant tale for our times. I'm loving this series.