There's a BBC Drama About Grand Theft Auto

And it's got Harry Potter in it

by Sammy Barker Fri 4th Sep 2015

BBC dramas tend to go one of two ways: they're either really good like Sherlock or awful like The Gamechangers appears to be. This forthcoming feature starring Daniel Radcliffe promises to plot the rise of Grand Theft Auto developer Rockstar Games, with Harry Potter himself filling the role of London-born chief Sam Houser. Bill Paxton will also star as infamous lawyer Jack Thompson.

And judging by the trailer embedded below, it's going to be terrible. Not only does Radcliffe mutter some nonsense about creating the "first truly adaptable hero", but the trailer seems to allude to some kind of patriotic battle between the US and the UK, as Paxton babbles on about the Brits corrupting American children. Or something.

On one hand, it's about time a story like this got turned into a TV show – after all, Houser is one of the more influential people in Britain at the moment. On the other hand, we can understand why Rockstar Games tried to block this from being released, as it looks like it's going to be a fictional story loosely based upon real world events. Either way, it'll be broadcast on BBC Two at 21:00PM on 15th September.

[source youtu.be, via eurogamer.net]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Anchorsam_9
Fri 4th Sep 2015

The image makes this looks like a crap white people version of Straight Outta Compton

2
Crimson_Ridley
Fri 4th Sep 2015

That image has 2 too many flat-peaked caps for me. Actually I think it has 3, but one moron has put it on the wrong way around.

I don't want to watch it because it looks like crap, but I do want to watch it because it looks like crap.

3
wobrussell
Fri 4th Sep 2015

http://i.imgur.com/vLafaMg.jpg

4
Quintumply
Fri 4th Sep 2015

This could be good, but what worries me is that Rockstar claim to have had no involvement in the show whatsoever. For me that robs the show of any credibility.

It may well be based on true events but to not go to the people who know the real story and get some solid information first (let alone permission) seems like a big misstep by the BBC.