''The Secret'' is a 2016 Northern Irish ITV mini-series based on ''

Let This Be Our Secret ''Let This Be Our Secret'' is a true-crime book by award-winning British people, British journalist Deric Henderson about how Colin Howell, aided and abetted by his mistress and fellow-Christian Hazel Stewart, callously killed their spouses and ...

'', 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 Castlerock is a seaside village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is five miles west of Coleraine, and part of Causeway Coast and Glens district. It is very popular with summer tourists, with numerous apartment blocks and two caravan ...

, County Londonderry, in

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

in May 1991. The drama stars

James Nesbitt William James Nesbitt (born 15 January 1965) is an actor from Northern Ireland. From 1987, Nesbitt spent seven years performing in plays that varied from the musical '' Up on the Roof'' (1987, 1989) to the political drama ''Paddywack'' (1994) ...

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 Hat Trick Productions is an independent British production company that produces television and radio programmes, mainly specialising in comedy, based in London. History Hat Trick Productions was founded in 1986 by Rory McGrath, Jimmy Mulville ...

Mark Redhead Mark Redhead is a British producer, director, and occasional actor. He was the producer of ''Bloody Sunday'' and an executive producer of God on Trial. He has been nominated for several awards and won a BAFTA TV Award in 2000 for '' The Murder of ...

and Stuart Urban. 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'. 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

as Colin Howell *

Genevieve O'Reilly Genevieve O'Reilly (born 6 January 1977) is an Irish actress. She is known for her work in the ''Star Wars'' franchise as Mon Mothma, having portrayed the character in ''Revenge of the Sith'', ''Rogue One'', and the Disney+ series '' Andor'', ...

as Hazel Buchanan * Laura Pyper as Lesley Howell * Glen Wallace as Trevor Buchanan *

Jason Watkins Jason Watkins (born 28 October 1962) is an English stage, film and television actor. He played the lead role in the two-part drama ''The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies'', for which he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor. He has also ...

as Pastor John Hansford * James Greene as Grandpa Harry Clarke *

Jonathan Harden Jonathan Harden (born 1979) is an Irish actor and director. Early life Harden was born in Belfast in 1979, the son of an Irish father and American mother. Career Harden's most notable credits include the roles of Sean Rawlins in the crime drama ...

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

Plot

Episode 1

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.

Episode 2

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.

Episode 3

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.

Episode 4

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

References

External links

''Broadcast Magazine'' on ''The Secret''s ratings
* 2016 British television series debuts 2016 British television series endings 2010s British drama television series ITV television dramas 2010s British crime television series 2010s British television miniseries English-language television shows Television series by Hat Trick Productions Television series by ITV Studios Television series set in the 1990s Television shows set in Northern Ireland {{UK-tv-prog-stub