Robbie Coltrane: National Treasure and the Issue of Historical Sex Abuse

Robbie Coltrane portrays a famous comedian who is accused of historical sexual abuse in the upcoming TV mini-series, National Treasure, which begins later this month. His character is based on people, such as Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris, who have been imprisoned for serial sex abuse. Coltrane has made his beliefs on the subject very clear, saying he is “appalled” by the number of historical figures who have been accused of the act. “Every day another story [comes out], and I think it appalls all of us.”

Coltrane said that he avoided meeting any of the real people who were imprisoned for serial sexual abuse, namely Jimmy Sivale. “I never wanted to meet him. I always thought he was creepy,” Coltrane said. “The big question is, what kind of culture was going on that he got away with it for as long as he did?”

At least 72 people were sexually abused by Savile in connection with his work at the BBC, and the corporation missed opportunities to stop his abuse because of a “culture of fear”, the Dame Janet Smith review concluded earlier this year.

Robbie Coltrane is not the only familiar face that appears in the mini-series. Alongside him is Julie Walters, playing Coltrane’s characters wife. “You look at these cases and for me it’s the wife you want to know about,” Walters said. “Women like that are fascinating. The reasons she stands by him were fascinating to go into.”

Jack Thorne, the mind behind The Cursed Child, wrote the four-part screenplay that will premiere on BBC Channel 4 later this month. Read more about it here.