National Treasure

A riveting series from Britain depicting a high-profile sexual abuse case involving a celebrity comedian. Paul Finchley (Robbie Coltrane), a beloved “national treasure” in the twilight of his career, becomes quickly immersed in a different kind of spotlight after a female fan accuses him of rape from years earlier. As additional victims come forward, salacious tabloid media coverage follows, wrecking Paul’s career and home. Through the creative use of flashbacks, characters emerge and deepen existing conflicts between family members while humanizing victims. National Treasure doesn’t shy away from the moral ambiguity and emotional toll of wrestling with trustworthiness in a marriage, fully realized through Paul’s wife, Marie Finchley (Julie Walters). And as in real life, there’s no neat ending to this story of a man whose behavior is equally damaging to himself, his victims, and the people who love and protect him. For taking us into a tense, dark arena showcasing the destructive repercussions of secrets and lies, National Treasure receives a Peabody Award.