Quiz

Quiz is a three-part drama series that originally aired on AMC in 2020. The docudrama is produced by ITV and AMC, developed by James Graham and directed by Stephen Frears. The series is an adaptation of a play, also written by Graham, which first premiered at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2017. The play, and subsequently the television series, chronicle the scandalous case of Charles Ingram, a former British army major, who was accused of cheating to bag the grand prize of a million pounds on the television quiz show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' in 2001.

The series explores the frequently disputed events from multiple angles, allowing the viewers to form their own opinions about the contested episode. Quiz is equal parts procedural drama, filled with legal wrangling and investigative endeavors, and an intriguing character study of the people at the heart of the controversy. A closely-knit narrative to keep you engrossed throughout, it presents an underlying query about the nature of truth and just how susceptible humans are to manipulation.

Matthew Macfadyen plays the role of Charles Ingram with a blend of indefiniteness and awkward charm, slaughtering the initial perception of a smooth con-man. Adding further artistic depth to the dramatization is Sian Clifford, portraying Ingram's wife Diana, a trivia geek determined to get to the hot seat of the 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' The third person immersed in the controversy is Tecwen Whittock, a fellow contestant, played by Michael Jibson. Whittock is suspected of aiding Ingram in his victory through a coughing code.

Another captivating performance is contributed by Michael Sheen, who embodies Chris Tarrant, the host of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' during the mentioned episode. Tarrant's character brings liveliness to the show, replicating the eccentric enthusiasm that marked the real-life host's style.

Apart from focusing predominantly on the individuals involved, Quiz also delves into the cultural phenomenon that the show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' had become in the late 90s. The view count, the obsession people developed, and the anticipation around every episode - all were part of the razzmatazz that this game show had stirred in public life. The series precisely encapsulates the ambiance of the game show, drawing the audience into the electrifying tension felt by the hot seat contestants.

Quiz expertly tackles themes of media trial, public perception, and the manipulative power of television. It illustrates how profoundly the media, in its pursuit of a juicy story, can shape public opinion, often leading to hasty and prejudiced judgments. The show skeptically examines the ways in which people's desire for entertainment can overshadow the quest for truth.

Having a runtime of approximately 45 minutes per episode, Quiz offers a penetrating drama perfectly distilled into three episodes. From a storytelling perspective, it implies a real-life event and spins a suspenseful and tight narrative, using it to probe broader societal questions of truth and manipulation. It does this while portraying a cast of compellingly human characters, each with their distinct personalities and quirks.

The series is masterfully directed and visually striking. It indulges in certain stylistic eccentricities, making it pleasantly atypical in its approach to a docudrama. The camera work and editing choices mirror the suspense and excitement of a real-life game show, artfully heightening the overall audience engagement.

In summary, Quiz is an intelligent, captivating drama that carries the glitz of the popular quiz show while delving deep into the scandal that tainted its reputation. Having a stellar cast that vividly brings the characters to life and handles the storyline with resourcefulness, Quiz plants seeds of doubt, encouraging the audience to question what they believe as truth and to scrutinize the power of media.