Quiz writer and executive producer James Graham has revealed what the Ingrams have made of the ITV drama.
The 37-year-old, who also wrote the stage version of the three-part series said he was keen for Charles and Diana Ingram – portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen and Sian Clifford, respectively – to see the finished product.
However, Graham added that he wanted to be as fair to possible to everyone involved in the infamous coughing scandal.
Speaking as part of a BAFTA online Q&A for Quiz, Graham explained: “I wanted everybody who wanted to see it in advance [...] to be allowed to see it.
“I'm always a very keen believer of trying to take people with you on a project and to do that as early as possible.”
He added: “We have a really polarised issue here as the [Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?] producers still believe they are absolutely guilty, while the Ingrams have always maintained their innocence. It felt like it was going to be a huge challenge to create a television drama where they both liked it or didn’t like it in equal measure.
“But both sides like it. ITV figures and members of the Ingram family came to a screening of it and both are grateful for being allowed to put their opinion across. I’ve been checking in on the Ingrams all week and make sure they’re okay.”
Graham added that he didn’t want the Ingrams to like Quiz too much though.
“You don’t want them to hate it,” he said. “But you don’t want them to like it too much, because then you haven’t done your job. It’s a funny balance to strike.
“I think this is slightly easier because I personally really like everyone in this story. I don’t think there are any bad guys, really.”
The first two episodes of Quiz have retold the story of the ‘coughing scandal’, seeing Charles accused of using an accomplice to give coded coughs in order to get to the million pound question.
However, the final episode of the series will examine whether the Ingrams were really guilty.
Quiz concludes tonight at 9pm on ITV.
