The story of a real-life double murder will be told in a three-part ITV drama, ‘The Secret’, which will be filmed in Northern Ireland in November.
Acclaimed Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt plays Colin Howell, a respectable dentist and pillar of the community, who became a killer in partnership with a Sunday school teacher, Hazel Buchanan.
Hazel Buchanan will be played by Genevieve O’Reilly, who is known for her roles in ‘Episodes’, ‘Banished’ and ‘The Honourable Woman’.
Howell and Buchanan met at their local Baptist Church in Coleraine, Northern Ireland and they embarked upon a passionate and destructive affair, which climaxed in an elaborate plot to kill both their partners, Lesley and Trevor.
Written by BAFTA-winning writer Stuart Urban (‘An Ungentlemanly Act’), the drama is directed by Nick Murphy (‘Occupation’; ‘Prey’) and produced by Jonathan Curling (‘Holy Cross’; ‘The Government Inspector’).
Produced by Hat Trick Productions, the Executive Producer is Head of Drama, Mark Redhead (‘Murder of Stephen Lawrence’; ‘Bloody Sunday’; ‘Case Sensitive’; ‘The Suspicions of Mr Whicher’, ‘Critical’).
‘The Secret’ has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea.
Steve November commented: “The Secret is a powerful true life crime story. The production team at Hat Trick led by Mark Redhead has a long held reputation for producing quality drama focusing on human frailties and tragedy.”
Executive producer Mark Redhead said: “This is the story of an audacious and wicked crime. It tells us something very surprising and revealing about the dark side of human nature.”
The drama is based on a best-selling book, by veteran reporter Deric Henderson, the former Ireland Editor of the Press Association and draws on primary source material.
The drama will go into production in Northern Ireland in November with additional funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
