The Secret is a 2016 Northern Irish ITV mini-series based on Let This Be Our Secret, Belfast journalist Deric Henderson's account of the double murder of Lesley Howell and Constable Trevor Buchanan, whose bodies were discovered in a fume-filled car in the garage of a property in Castlerock, County Londonderry, in Northern Ireland in May 1991.[1]
| The Secret | |
|---|---|
| Genre | True-life drama |
| Based on | Let This Be Our Secret |
| Written by | Stuart Urban |
| Directed by | Nick Murphy |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Andrew Simon McAllister |
| Composer | Andrew Simon McAllister |
| Country of origin | Northern Ireland |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producer | Jonathan Curling |
| Running time | 51 minutes (including adverts) |
| Production company | Hat Trick Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 29 April – 20 May 2016 |
The drama stars James Nesbitt as killer dentist Colin Howell, is written by BAFTA-winning writer Stuart Urban and is directed by Nick Murphy. The producer is Jonathan Curling, and the executive producers are Hat Trick Productions' Mark Redhead and Stuart Urban.[2]
It was broadcast from 29 April to 20 May 2016 in four episodes. The production was criticised by Howell's daughter, for the portrayal of her mother, and for 'exploiting a tragedy'.[3] The drama was BAFTA nominated as Best Drama Miniseries. It won the Royal Television Society award for Best Drama, Northern Ireland and was nominated at The Broadcast Awards as Best Drama.
Cast
edit- James Nesbitt as Colin Howell
- Genevieve O'Reilly as Hazel Buchanan
- Laura Pyper as Lesley Howell
- Glen Wallace as Trevor Buchanan
- Jason Watkins as Pastor John Hansford
- James Greene as Grandpa Harry Clarke
- Jonathan Harden as DC Devine
- David Pears as Andy Comerford
- Ali White as Hilary McAuley
- Eileen McCloskey as Dental Receptionist
- Riley Hamilton as Matthew Howell
- Nina Woods as Lauren Howell
- Murray Speeers as Daniel Howell
- Jack Erdis as Andrew Buchanan
- Sophie Mellotte as Lisa Buchanan[4]
Plot
editEpisode 1
editIn 1990, married dentist Colin meets married teacher Hazel, and they start having an affair. Colin assures her their love is a gift from God, and he wants them to act on it.[5]
Episode 2
editLesley (Colin's wife) receives an inheritance from her father. Colin asphyxiates Lesley and Hazel's husband Trevor whilst they sleep. He then stages a suicide pact.[6]
Episode 3
editThe coroner gives a verdict of suicide. Hazel and Colin continue their relationship, but Hazel feels guilty and can only have sex with Colin whilst heavily drugged. Eventually the relationship ends and they marry new partners. Colin's son Matthew dies. Colin concludes this is a punishment by God.[7]
Episode 4
editColin loses a fortune in a scam, and confesses to the murders. He and Hazel are both imprisoned.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Veteran journalist tells story of Howell's terrible secret". Newsletter.co.uk.
- ^ "James Nesbitt to star as dentist turned killer in new TV drama". Evening Times. 15 October 2015.
- ^ Bradford, Lauren (2 May 2016). "My family was traumatised first by a murder, then by the TV serialisation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- ^ "The Secret Episode 1". ITV Press Centre. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 1 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 2 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 3 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
- ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 4 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
External links
edit
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