The late Tim Pigott-Smith has been lauded for one of his final appearances on screen in TV drama King Charles III.
The actor, who died suddenly in April aged 70, portrayed a post-accession Prince of Wales in the 90-minute BBC Two adaptation having previously played the role in the theatre production on Broadway and in the West End.
As Charles, now monarch after the Queen’s death, he refuses to sign a controversial bill into law leading to a constitutional crisis, rioting on the streets and a tank in front of Buckingham Palace.
Incredible performance from the late, great Tim Pigott Smith #KingCharlesIII
— Emma Bullimore (@EmmaBullimore) May 10, 2017
But also that was a masterpiece & Tim Pigott Smith you are sorely sorely missed #KingCharlesIII
— Joanna Trainor (@mintpixeljo) May 10, 2017
Viewers on social media called for Tim to be awarded a Bafta for the performance while the show creators dedicated the programme to him in the final credits.
#KingCharlesIII was compelling. Epic. Shakespearean. Beautifully written, performed, scored. And a fitting tribute to Tim Pigott-Smith
— David Teatro (@bfs_boy) May 10, 2017
Best thing I've seen on TV this year. Tim Pigott-Smith just incredible. What a loss he is. #KingCharlesIII https://t.co/uCju1nz6rW
— Paul Reed (@sommecourt) May 10, 2017
Most importantly, what a wonderful thing to have Tim Piggot-Smith's sublime performance committed to film #KingCharlesIII
— Sian Rodgers (@sianrodgers) May 10, 2017
Tim Pigott-Smith needs to be given BAFTA immediately #KingCharlesIII
— Wendy Wilson (@wendywoo1979) May 10, 2017
Before the show’s broadcast, the decision to include scenes of Diana, Princess of Wales appearing as a ghost caused controversy as several Conservative MPs lambasted the BBC.
#KingCharlesIII
Bit tasteless and insensitive 💕— honeybun (@JoannaGoodchil3) May 10, 2017
Without wanting to sound like Mary Whitehouse, these scenes with Diana's ghost are really tasteless #KingCharlesIII
— Cllr Duncan Flynn (@DuncanFlynn81) May 10, 2017
And as the show aired, several fans described the scenes as “tasteless”.
Good God. Diana's ghost in #KingCharlesIII … I was so looking forward to this, but… so far I'm underwhelmed 🤔
— Geraldine Cooper (@LittleGCoop) May 10, 2017
Bizarre. And Diana's ghost is just poor taste.#KingCharlesIII
— Zoe_j (@warnes_zoe) May 10, 2017
The drama ended with the words: “In memory of Tim Pigott-Smith 1946-2017″.
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