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The Secret (TV series)

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The Secret
GenreTrue-life drama
Based onLet This Be Our Secret
Written byStuart Urban
Directed byNick Murphy
Starring
Theme music composerAndrew Simon McAllister
ComposerAndrew Simon McAllister
Country of originNorthern Ireland
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
ProducerJonathan Curling
Running time51 minutes (including adverts)
Production companyHat Trick Productions
Original release
NetworkITV
Release29 April (2016-04-29) –
20 May 2016 (2016-05-20)

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 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

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Plot

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Episode 1

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In 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

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Lesley (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

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The 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

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Colin loses a fortune in a scam, and confesses to the murders. He and Hazel are both imprisoned.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Veteran journalist tells story of Howell's terrible secret". Newsletter.co.uk.
  2. ^ "James Nesbitt to star as dentist turned killer in new TV drama". Evening Times. 15 October 2015.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "The Secret Episode 1". ITV Press Centre. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  5. ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 1 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  6. ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 2 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  7. ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 3 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  8. ^ "The Secret – what time is it on TV? Episode 4 Series 1 cast list and preview". RadioTimes. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
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