Getting the role right was vital for Rillington Place star Nico Mirallego

Nico Mirallegro in Rillington Place (BBC / Des Willie)

THE shocking story of mass murderer John Christie has been gripping viewers all over again in the BBC’s Rillington Place.

The three-part drama is told from a different perspective each episode, with last week’s focus on Christie’s wife Ethel (Samantha Morton) and the final one from the viewpoint of that of the creepy killer himself, played by Tim Roth.

But this week it looks at the young neighbours who fall under Christie’s spell, with former Hollyoaks star Nico Mirallego as Timothy Evans, the unfortunate soul hanged for Christie’s deadly deeds.

Archives were scoured and surviving relatives were interviewed.

“Timothy Evans was a loving, family-orientated man,” says Nico.

“Having spoken to family members, he just seemed such a normal, everyday person who got on with things and worked hard.

“I read books, statements and court statements, watched documentaries and I spoke to his sister, which was a really emotional experience. She was his closest sibling.

“To get the feeling, that aura and to understand how she felt about him, and the love his mother and the rest of the family felt was an invaluable source of information.”

So getting it right was crucial for Nico.

“We wanted to tell this story truthfully, how it deserves to be told.

“To give it the justice it deserves for Timothy Evans and his family.”

Glasgow doubled for 1940s and ’50s London, but authentic sets, including the infamous house, were also built.

“The roof was crumbling and the floorboards built on stages,” adds Nico.

“We get the sound of going up and down the stairs so the Christies can hear us, and it echoes above like it would in the flat. Eerily scary on your own!”

Rillington Place, BBC1, Tue, 9pm