Still Game star Scott Reid to play evil child killer Ian Huntley in new drama

Reid is taking on the role for Channel 5 miniseries Maxine, which focuses on the infamous Soham murders.

It is a massive departure for the Still Game star, who is best known for playing lovable rogue Methadone Mick in the iconic BBC comedy show.

The crime drama is currently being filmed in Ireland and comes 20 years after Huntley murdered 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

Huntley, who was a caretaker at the local school, was found guilty of killing the youngsters after a family barbeque in 2002. He was sentenced to two life terms, with a minimum 40-year tariff. 

His partner Maxine Carr was jailed for perverting the course of justice after giving Huntley a fake alibi. She was later released in 2004 with a new identity.

A Channel 5 spokesperson said: “Maxine will examine the investigation of school assistant Maxine Carr and her caretaker fiance Ian Huntley. It was a tragic case that shocked the nation.

"The three-part drama will explore their tumultuous relationship through Maxine's perspective; why she lied for him and how she became public enemy No.1, as well as reflect the scale of the police investigation and subsequent media frenzy around the biggest manhunt ever seen in British history.”

Mike Benson, managing director at production firm Clapperboard, added: “Few crimes have embedded themselves in the national psyche more than the tragic events of Soham in 2002. It was a case which was unique in recent history in terms of the sheer scale of the media coverage and how this affected and nearly derailed the investigation and subsequent trial.”   

Maxine is set to air later this year.