“Quiz” is an impressive English series by Stephen Frears about a real scandal on the show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”.

The TV show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” is known and popular all over the world. But in our parts, few people know that in the quiz’s homeland, England, at the dawn of the TV program, there was a loud scandal involving possible fraud by the participants. It is about this scandalous episode that the 3-episode ITV mini-series “Quiz” tells.

Cash Mountain

Producer Paul Smith (Mark Bonnar) came up with the idea of a new format TV show in which the prize amount increases with each question, and the final prize could be a fabulous sum of £1 million. Initially, this program was called “Cash Mountain,” but later this faceless name was replaced by the legendary “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”.

The new-style quiz instantly became a national hit. In it, the most ordinary citizens of Britain could win huge sums of money, relying only on their knowledge.

At the center of the story is Major Charles Ingram (Matthew Macfadyen), whose wife persuaded him to participate in the show. After his unexpected victory, a theory emerged at the top of the TV channel that the win was obtained fraudulently.

Impressive Lie or Ordinary Truth

When a series is based on real events, especially such unprecedented ones, it is extremely interesting to follow the development of the story. The main merit of the creators of the project “Quiz,” led by director Stephen Frears (“The Queen,” “Dangerous Liaisons”) and screenwriter James Graham (“The Crown”), is the fact that throughout all three episodes they managed to skillfully balance between possible truth and fiction. The viewer, like one of the members of the jury, is offered 2 versions of the interpretation of the event with convincing arguments in both cases. What to consider truth, what speculation, is up to you to decide.

Meticulously Thought-Out Structure

The three-episode format may seem strange and illogical on paper. In reality, however, this structure is entirely justified and helps to present the plot in an original way. The debut episode tells about the circumstances of the TV show’s success, the second directly demonstrates the very controversial victory, and the final episode shows us the controversial trial.

Star Casting

The title role in the series “Quiz” is played by the deserved workhorse of British (and not only) TV production, Matthew Macfadyen, and his company includes the brilliant Michael Sheen (“Masters of Sex,” “Good Omens”) in the image of TV host Chris Tarrant and Helen McCrory (“Peaky Blinders,” “Penny Dreadful”) in the role of Charles Ingram’s lawyer. Sheen in convincing makeup is difficult to recognize at certain moments, and his ability to transform he has proven time and again. McCrory does not spend much time on screen, but shines in every episode. Macfadyen ultimately looks like the most adequate choice for the role of a not too self-confident, but at the same time quite eccentric military man.

Is it worth watching the series “Quiz”?

Watching Frears’ work is a must. It is a gripping and ambiguous story based on real events. It is a stylishly directed and luxuriously acted spectacle, with few equals this year. Signature British flavor and humor are included.

Trailer: