The Widower (TV series) (original) (raw)

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2014 British crime drama television series

The Widower
Genre Crime drama
Created by Jeff Pope
Written by Jim Barton
Directed by Paul Whittington
Starring John Hannah Sheridan Smith Reece Shearsmith James Laurenson Archie Panjabi Juliet Alderice Kate Fleetwood Alex Ferns Joanna Roth
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original language English
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 3 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer Amanda Jenks
Producers Kwadjo DajanJeff Pope
Cinematography Martin Fuhrer
Editor Ben Lester
Running time 60 minutes
Production company Octagon Films
Original release
Network ITV
Release 17 March (2014-03-17) –31 March 2014 (2014-03-31)

The Widower is a British television drama originally broadcast in three one-hour instalments on ITV in 2014. The series portrays the life and crimes of convicted murderer Malcolm Webster.[1] ITV described the show as: "The Widower tells how, over a 13-year period, a seemingly mild-mannered nurse, Malcolm Webster, set about poisoning and murdering his first wife, attempting to do the same to his second wife and moving on to a further scheme to deceive his third fiancée."[2] The series was written by Jim Barton and Jeff Pope.[3]

In March 2014, ITV announced the broadcast of The Widower.[4] Webster's 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] Banerjee complimented Shearsmith's performance and described the production as "99% accurate".[10] Drumm initially 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]

However, she later discussed the series in an interview, in which she described the show as "strange to view" and criticised the show for not capturing Webster's personality which she described as "very extroverted, likable, funny, amusing person to be around, he was good company", whereas in the film he was portrayed as "not at all likable", which she felt marred the show's credibility. She stated also that he would adjust his personality to a particular woman.[13] Claire Webster's brother Peter 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."[14]

  1. ^ "Reece Shearsmith and Sheridan Smith in The Widower | presscentre". Itv.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  2. ^ "TV drama to focus on Malcolm Webster murders". The Scotsman. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  3. ^ Armstrong, Stephen (17 March 2014). "The Widower: Malcolm Webster is evil, yet two women willingly married him". Radiotimes.com. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  4. ^ "The Widower". itv.com. ITV Press Centre. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Malcolm Webster's crimes to be aired in drama". 3news.co.nz. MediaWorks TV. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  6. ^ "TV picks of the week: Two weddings and a funeral". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  7. ^ English, Paul (6 March 2014). "Reece Shearsmith on playing wife killer Malcolm Webster in new STV drama The Widower". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Reece Shearsmith: Widower role not villainous". YouTube. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  9. ^ "The Widower" (PDF). presscentre.itvstatic.com.
  10. ^ "'I escaped the Widower' | Hot Topics | Lorraine". Itv.com. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  11. ^ "Black Widower gets a TV re-run - National - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  12. ^ Lavery, Charles (5 July 2012). The Black Widower: The life and crimes of a sociopathic killer. 2646.{{[cite book](/wiki/Template:Cite%5Fbook "Template:Cite book")}}: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  13. ^ "Felicity Drumm - former wife of murderer Malcolm Webster". 7 July 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  14. ^ "TV drama captures sister's death". York Press. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  15. ^ "'The Widower' Episode 1 Review - Reece Shearsmith, Sheridan Smith In True Tale Of Wife-Murderer Malcolm Webster". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  16. ^ "'The Widower' Episode 2 Review: Reece Shearsmith As Malcolm Webster Hits A New Low". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 24 March 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  17. ^ "'The Widower' Episode 3 Review - Malcolm Webster Finally Runs Out Of Lies". Huffingtonpost.co.uk. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.