- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Alison Graham
Rendell’s psychological thriller isn’t a comfortable fit with the demands of a two-part drama. What was allowed to unfold with almost leisurely slowness in the novel is hastily cut and pasted onto the screen. Which is jarring, because it’s about a descent into madness; Michael “Mix” Cellini (Luke Treadaway) is a troubled young man, the product of an abusive childhood, who is unhealthily obsessed by infamous mass murderer John Reginald Christie.
Cellini haunts Christie’s former neighbourhood in west London and lives close to the site of what was once Christie’s home at 10 Rillington Place in Notting Hill. Here he stalks a vapid model, Nerissa Nash, while concocting an elaborate fantasy world in his ultra-tidy room in his landlady’s (Geraldine James) dusty house. It’s all deeply odd. Thirteen Steps Down concludes next week.
About this programme
Two-part psychological thriller based on the novel, starring Luke Treadaway, Geraldine James, Gemma Jones and Elarica Gallacher. Notting Hill resident Mix Cellini has two dangerous obsessions - his hero, serial killer John Christie, and local supermodel Nerissa Nash. Mix is convinced he and Nerissa are in love and goes to extraordinary lengths to be close to her - but as his fixation grows more powerful, reality and fantasy blend - with disastrous results. Concludes at 10.35pm.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Mix Cellini
- Luke Treadaway
- Gwendolen Chawcer
- Geraldine James
- Nerissa Nash
- Elarica Gallacher
- Olive
- Gemma Jones
- Queenie
- Anna Calder-Marshall
- Colette Bamber
- Melanie Gray
- John Reginald Christie/Salah Baseyev
- Mark Lambert
- Tom Akwaa
- Brian Bovell
- Danila Kovic
- Victoria Bewick
- Hazel Akwaa
- Carrie Crowley
- Darel Jones
- Sam O'Mahoney
- Madame Odette
- Maryam d'Abo
- The Doctor
- Gillian McCarthy
- Javy
- Peter Gaynor
- Mrs Cellini
- Tara Breathnach
- Young Mix
- James O'Donoghue
- Internet cafe assistant
- Danny McColgan
- Pest controller
- Dagmar Doring
Crew
- Adapted By
- Adrian Hodges
- Director
- Marek Losey
- Executive Producer
- Alan Moloney
- Executive Producer
- Mary Callery
- Executive Producer
- Adrian Hodges
- Producer
- Neil Zeiger
- Writer
- Ruth Rendell
- Share this episode
-