The Widower (TV series): Difference between revisions
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===Episode 3=== |
===Episode 3=== |
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Malcolm is now living with Simone. Charlie Henry is investigating him. He is arrested for stealing funds from the angling club (of which he is treasurer). He is also charged with possession of a firearm without a licence and stealing a laptop. He is acquitted of all these charges. An examination of Claire's liver establishes that she was drugged and that Malcolm started a fire at the hospital. This enables Charlie to re-examine Claire's death. Simone is presented with a letter by the police - telling her that Malcolm has a wife and son in New Zealand. She ends their relationship. Malcolm is arrested for Claire's murder. Simone is shocked to discover that Malcolm sabotaged the lifejacket on her boat. <ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/31/the-widower-review-episode-3-reece-shearsmith_n_5065507.html</ref> |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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Revision as of 18:42, 17 August 2014
The Widower is a made for tv film, that was broadcast in three one-hour installments, on ITV in 2014. It portrays the crimes of real-life murderer Malcolm Webster. The film is a 15 year story arc - beginning with Webster's wedding to his first wife and him finally being arrested for her murder.
Plot
Episode 1
Malcolm marries Claire. The film opens with him praising his 'darling Claire'. Shortly after they are married she requests to see all his debts. He responds by drugging her and murdering her in a staged car crash. Several years later he moves to New Zealand where he marries Felicity, who he also starts drugging. He clearly plans to murder her, by pushing her off a cliff but changes his mind when he finds out she is pregnant. The episode ends with him setting fire to Felicity’s parents house.[1]
Episode 2
Felicity reluctantly agrees to a life bank account with Malcolm. She narrowly escapes Malcolm attempting to murder her in another staged car accident. She discovers he has stolen almost her entire savings and has taken out numerous life insurance policies in her name. He returns to Scotland where the meets Simone. To gain her attention he claims to have terminal lukeminia and even shaves his head and eyebrows. [2]
Episode 3
Malcolm is now living with Simone. Charlie Henry is investigating him. He is arrested for stealing funds from the angling club (of which he is treasurer). He is also charged with possession of a firearm without a licence and stealing a laptop. He is acquitted of all these charges. An examination of Claire's liver establishes that she was drugged and that Malcolm started a fire at the hospital. This enables Charlie to re-examine Claire's death. Simone is presented with a letter by the police - telling her that Malcolm has a wife and son in New Zealand. She ends their relationship. Malcolm is arrested for Claire's murder. Simone is shocked to discover that Malcolm sabotaged the lifejacket on her boat. [3]
Production
In March 2014, the UK TV channel ITV broadcast a drama based on the case, The Widower.[4] His estranged wife Felicity Drumm, his former partner Simone Banerjee and Detective Inspector Charlie Henry (who had led the investigation that led to Webster's arrest) all contributed to the production.[5] It was shown in New Zealand on TV One in July 2014.[6] Webster's first wedding, was reconstructed, based on a VHS recording provided by his first wife's family.[7] Reece Shearsmith, who portrayed Webster described him as a "horrible, petulant little boy...who even now believes he has been wronged, his entire life has always been poor Malcolm, poor Malcolm, with no thought for the terrible crimes and the victims that he has left in his wake." [8]Malcolm Webster was not approached (although his solicitor was informed that the film was being made)[9]. Banajee complimented Shearsmith's performance and described the production as "99% accurate"[10]. Drumm has declined to comment on the series [11]. She is said to have been reluctant to take part in the project, but felt obligated due to being financially destitute[12]. Morris was reported as being impressed by Smith's portrayal of his sister, stating: "Sheridan captured Claire completely. I miss that camaraderie of a sibling and I thank Sheridan for giving that back to me for a while."[13]
Cast
- Reece Shearsmith as Malcolm Webster
- Sheridan Smith as Claire Webster
- Kate Fleetwood as Felicity Drumm
- Archie Panjabi by Simone Banarjee
- John Hannah as Detective Inspector Charlie Henry
References
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/17/the-widower-review_n_4981725.html
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/24/the-widower-review-episode-2-reece-shearsmith_n_5023742.html
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/31/the-widower-review-episode-3-reece-shearsmith_n_5065507.html
- ^ "The Widower". itv.com. ITV Press Centre. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
- ^ "Malcolm Webster's crimes to be aired in drama". 3news.co.nz. MediaWorks TV. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ^ "TV picks of the week: Two weddings and a funeral". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
- ^ English, Paul (March 6, 2014). "Reece Shearsmith on playing wife killer Malcolm Webster in new STV drama The Widower". Daily Record. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith: Widower role not villainous". Retrieved 20 April 2014.
- ^ http://presscentre.itvstatic.com/presscentre/sites/presscentre/files/The%20Widower.pdf
- ^ "'I escaped the Widower' | Hot Topics | Lorraine". Itv.com. 2014-03-31. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ "Black Widower gets a TV re-run - National - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ Lavery, Charles. The Black Widower: The life and crimes of a sociopathic killer. 2646.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ By pa.press.net (2014-03-24). "TV drama captures sister's death". Tv.uk.msn.com. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
- ^ "Reece Shearsmith and Sheridan Smith in The Widower | presscentre". Itv.com. 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2014-08-16.