State of Play: who's who in the film adaptation of the BBC series

Here's State of Play's Cal McAffrey, campaigning journalist with a sensitive core who stumbles on a full-blown conspiracy that taints the highest reaches in government and industry alike. Note how John Simm's (right) brown suit in the original BBC TV series has been picked up by Russell Crowe in Kevin Macdonald's new film. Thing is, whereas Simm looked like he relied on his wits to get sources to spill, Crowe looks like he might conceivably sit on people to make them talk Photograph: BBC/Stay Still Ltd

Perhaps to make up for Crowe's ruggedness, rising star politician Stephen Collins, who was best friends with McAffrey back at uni and is now threatened with political oblivion, is played by a polished Ben Affleck. Contrast how he works his uniform of coat-suit-and-tie with David Morrissey's use of an almost identical costume, only Morrissey has a rather more reassuringly rumpled air Photograph: BBC

Here's Della, the stellar cub reporter who discovers a big chunk of the puzzle – whereas Kelly Macdonald's (right) Della Smith looks like she relishes getting her hands dirty on newsprint and has a nice line in sensible jumpers, Rachel McAdams's Della Frye is a blogger who probably spends more time online shopping than running after an elusive source in her spike heels Photograph: BBC/Stay Still Ltd

Meet Dominic Foy, a smooth-talking PR fixer who finds himself implicated in the conspiracy uncovered by Cal McAffrey and Della Frye/Smith. Interesting how the notion of media cool has gone from Marc Warren's fur-trimmed jacket, skin-tight shirt and necklaces in 2003 London to Jason Bateman's slick-haired, sharp-suited weasel in 2009 Washington Photograph: BBC

But here's the biggest (sex) change of all – whereas John Simm and Kelly Macdonald were chivvied along by Bill Nighy's (right) deliciously dry-witted editor Cameron Foster, Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams are hounded by the profanely regal tones of ball-breaking boss Cameron Lynne, played by Helen Mirren. But spot the way grey features in their wardrobe and you'll see they are cut from the same cloth. Hell, they even have the same hairdo Photograph: BBC/Stay Still Ltd