New ITV Drama on Raoul Moat Sparks Outrage
ITV’s upcoming drama The Hunt for Raoul Moat has divided viewers, with many slamming it as being in “poor taste.” The show, focusing on Britain’s biggest manhunt, aims to tell the story from the perspectives of victims, police, and a local journalist.
Social Media Backlash: “Drop It Now!”
Critics took to Facebook to vent their anger. One user said, “Sorry but it is an awful idea for a show and I will not be watching.” Another added, “Seriously, drop it now! This monster doesn’t deserve any more attention. It’s close to home to start with!”
Inside the Drama: Victims and Heroes
The show shines a spotlight on the innocent victims of Raoul Moat’s crimes: Christopher Brown, Samantha Stobbart, and PC David Rathband. It also features the brave police officers risking their lives to catch him and a local journalist fighting against sensationalist media coverage.
Leading the cast is Lee Ingleby as Neil Adamson, a senior Northumbria Police officer spearheading the hunt. Sonya Cassidy plays journalist Diane Barnwell, while Matt Stokoe takes on the role of Raoul Moat himself.
The Chilling Story Behind the Drama
The drama begins with Moat’s ex-partner Samantha rebuilding her life after his imprisonment for assault. After his release from Durham Prison, Moat threatens Samantha and her new boyfriend Chris. When he realises he can’t win her back, Moat arms himself with a shotgun, setting off a terrifying chain of events.
Produced by World Productions, makers of hit shows like Line of Duty and Anne, the drama is written by acclaimed screenwriter Kevin Sampson.
Kevin Sampson said: “The hunt for Raoul Moat gripped me from the start, as it was the first such case to be covered ‘live’ by the new 24-hour news channels in the UK. Even then, it interested me that Moat was being portrayed by some as a ‘legend’ in spite of the brutality of his crimes. In 2022, violence against women remains rife and is all too often accompanied by a victim-blaming agenda. I hope this drama will go some way to condemning this narrative.”
A Notorious Manhunt
After being released in July 2010, Moat went on a violent rampage, shooting three people within 24 hours. Despite Northumbria Police’s best efforts, he evaded capture for over a week while threatening police and civilians. Public perception twisted him into an ‘anti-hero,’ but the reality was a dangerous, armed sociopath declaring war on law enforcement.
The show has been commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, who will oversee its production.
