Jimmy Erskine is the most feared theatre critic of the age. He lives as flamboyantly as he writes and takes pleasure in savagely taking down any actor who fails to meet his standards. When the owner of the Daily Chronicle dies, and his son takes over, Jimmy quickly finds himself at odds with his new boss and his position under threat. In an attempt to preserve the power and influence he holds so sacred, Jimmy strikes a Faustian pact with a struggling actress, entangling them and the boss in a thrilling but deadly web of desire, blackmail, and betrayal.
Ian McKellen
as Jimmy Erskine
Gemma Arterton
as Nina Land
Mark Strong
as David Brooke
Lesley Manville
as Annabel Land
Ben Barnes
as Stephen Wyley
Romola Garai
as Cora Wyley
Alfred Enoch
as Tom Tunner
Ron Cook
as Hugh Morris
Claire Skinner
as Mary Brooke
Matthew Cottle
as Graham Meadows
Beau Gadsdon
as Freya
Nikesh Patel
as Ferdy Harwood
