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Murder (2002 TV series)

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Murder
Om Puri and Julie Walters as Akash Gupta and Angela Maurer
GenreCrime drama
Written byAbi Morgan
Directed byBeeban Kidron
StarringJulie Walters
Roland Manookian
Nicola Reynolds
Paul Higgins
Jason Done
Robert Glenister
David Morrissey
Imelda Staunton
Aaron McCusker
ComposerNina Humphreys
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series1
No. of episodes4 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerGreg Brenman
ProducerRebecca De Souza
CinematographyIan Wilson
EditorPaul Tothill
Running time50 minutes
Production companyTiger Aspect Productions
Original release
NetworkBBC Two
Release29 May (2002-05-29) –
19 June 2002 (2002-06-19)

Murder is a British television crime drama series, first broadcast between 29 May and 19 June 2002, that ran for a total of four episodes on BBC Two.[1] The series starred Julie Walters as Angela Maurer, a mother who seeks help from a local journalist after her son, Christopher, is killed the day after his 21st birthday. Each episode focuses on a different character who is somehow linked to the story through Angela, including the journalist, a shopkeeper, a police detective and a witness to the crime itself. The serial was written by playwright Abi Morgan, and directed by Beeban Kidron.

Producer Rebecca de Souza said of the series: "Unless we've had a personal experience of murder we think we understand it because we've all seen investigations on TV or read about them in the newspapers. They are generally presented in a particular way. The focus tends to be on the victim and the police investigation. We wanted to explore the idea that, alongside the immediate family, many people are affected by murder – some in surprising ways." Writer Abi Morgan said of her inspirations for the series. "Their stories were so incredible, there was a strong sense that they had been touched by madness. I wanted to capture the intensity of what they were living through as well as the odd normality of it. Their experiences had a surreal sense about them, but at the same time they had to carry on with their lives. What keeps Angela going is her drive to find out who did it, but, once the investigation is over, there really is nowhere else to go. You just have to live with it."[2]

Walters was awarded a BAFTA television award in 2003 for Best Actress for her role as Angela Maurer.[3] The series averaged around 3 million viewers, with the first episode notably beating ER in the ratings.[4] Notably, the series has never been released on VHS or DVD.

Cast

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byBritish air dateUK viewers
(million)[5]
1"The Journalist[6]"Beeban KidronAbi Morgan29 May 2002 (2002-05-29)3.85
When a young man is brutally murdered on his way to work, the day after his 21st birthday, his adoring mother's life is shattered. A self-interested journalist who only cares about getting a front-page story tries to take advantage of the situation.
2"The Newsagent[7]"Beeban KidronAbi Morgan5 June 2002 (2002-06-05)2.88
Angela expresses her complete dissatisfaction with the way the police are handling the case, and turns to her local newsagent for help.
3"The Detective[8]"Beeban KidronAbi Morgan12 June 2002 (2002-06-12)2.92
Detective Billie Dory is challenged by an angry Angela over the lack of progress in the case. Meanwhile, officers arrest Chris' friend Ryan McGuinness, after they learn Chris may have spent the night with Ryan's girlfriend. However, they soon discover Chris also had a testy relationship with his brother-in-law.
4"The Witness[9]"Beeban KidronAbi Morgan19 June 2002 (2002-06-19)2.37
Good Samaritan Robert, who found Chris bloodied and beaten on the sidewalk, agrees to participate in a reconstruction. But soon, the pressure of the situation threatens to traumatise him. But will it help solve the crime?

References

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  1. ^ "Murder". Tigeraspect.co.uk. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  2. ^ "BBC – Drama – Murder". BBC. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Bafta TV Awards: every Best Actress winner since 2000". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  4. ^ "BBC 2's 'Murder' slaughters 'ER'". Broadcastnow.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Weekly top 30 programmes – BARB". Barb.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Murder". 23 May 2002. p. 98. Retrieved 5 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  7. ^ "Murder". 30 May 2002. p. 106. Retrieved 5 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  8. ^ "Murder". 6 June 2002. p. 98. Retrieved 5 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
  9. ^ "Murder". 13 June 2002. p. 96. Retrieved 5 December 2017 – via BBC Genome.
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