12 February (2018-02-12) – 5 March 2018 (2018-03-05)
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.
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]
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. Clarkson
David Hare
19 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. Clarkson
David Hare
26 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. Clarkson
David Hare
5 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
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]
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