State of Play is a critically acclaimed British political thriller television series written by Paul Abbott and directed by David Yates, first broadcast on BBC One in 2003. The six-part drama stars John Simm as journalist Cal McCaffrey, who investigates the death of a political researcher, Sonia Baker, and uncovers a link to a teenage gangland killing and a conspiracy involving petroleum-industry corruption of government ministers. The plot centers on the tense relationship between McCaffrey and his old friend, MP Stephen Collins (David Morrissey), the murdered woman's employer, with a supporting cast including Kelly Macdonald, Bill Nighy, and James McAvoy. Airing Sunday nights from 18 May to 22 June 2003, the series premiered episodes two through five on digital channel BBC Four before their BBC One broadcast, but held back the finale to avoid spoiling the twists for viewers without digital access. The show was a critical triumph—The Guardian called it "bloody magic"—and a career turning point for Yates, while its success led to a sequel commission that Abbott later abandoned in 2006.