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| “ | I've been accused of a crime, and there is, I think, a presumption of guilt. | „ |
| ~ Paul Finchley attempting to assert his innocence on the radio. |
Paul Finchley is the protagonist of the 2016 TV series National Treasure.
Paul stands a man accused of rape by several young women throughout his long and celebrated career.
He was portrayed by the late Robbie Coltrane as an adult, who also portrayed Mr. Hyde in Van Helsing, the Duke in the 1993 Disney adaptation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Mr. Victor Hazell in the 1989 film adaptation of Danny, the Champion of the World. As a young adult, Finchley is portrayed by Trystan Gravelle, who also portrayed Ar-Pharazôn in the TV series of The Simillarian.
Personality[]
Paul Finchley's fame was brought from his charisma and charm throughout his career. He was well loved by many. Out of the spotlight, he was quite reserved and shy.
Physical appearance[]
Finchley is heavyset. As an adult, he has grey hair and has some mobility issues. In his later years, he required a cane to walk. As a young man, he remained heavyset with black hair.
Biography[]
Background[]
Paul Finchley was a well-renowned and loved actor and comic, garnering him 'national treasure' status in the UK. He was one-half of a comedy duo with Sir Karl Jenkins, who went on to receive international acclaim. He married his wife, Marie, with whom he has a child, Dee.
National Treasure[]
After presenting a lifetime achievement award to his former comedy partner Karl Jenkins, Paul returns home. The following morning, he is arrested by the police in front of his wife for raping a woman named Rebecca Thornton in 1993. Paul outright denies these allegations. Photos of Paul with other women are shown, which mortifies his wife, Marie, and fragile daughter, Dee. As the accusation reaches public knowledge, more and more women come forward claiming they were assaulted by Paul, including a babysitter for the Finchleys, Christina, who was 15-years-old at the time she alleges.
Dee questions if she was abused by Paul, and has a flashback that reveals on one night, Paul and Marie go out for dinner. Paul returns home alone, and asks the babysitter if she would like to have a drink with him. Dee recalls Paul putting the babysitter in a taxi, and believes her father is innocent. In a psychological break, Dee crashes her car into Christina's house with the message conveyed she has the right to believe her father is innocent as much as she has the right to believe he is not.
It is further revealed Paul had multiple extramarital affairs which Marie was completely aware of. Marie begins to question her fidelity to Paul throughout the years after she is confronted by one of Paul's accusers in a bathroom. Meanwhile, Paul asserts his side of the story on the radio claiming his innocence while his family deteriorates around him.
After some time, all but two claims against Paul have been dropped. At trial, it is revealed Christina lied based on a detail about the car, which was being driven by Marie at the suggested time in a different city. Another flashback shows Paul learn the TV network is looking to focus on Karl's career as a solo entertainer. Paul meets with Rebecca in his caravan, and makes an advance on her. Outside the caravan, Karl hears Rebecca's screams, but says nothing out of the fear of tarnishing his own career. Another flashback reveals that he also raped an underage Christina. At trial, Karl supports Paul and claims he does not recall any event such as that described by Rebecca happening. Despite the fact the audience knows Paul committed the rape, he is found not guilty, and celebrates with a growingly distant Marie.