THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT is a four-part British true crime television drama series, written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb. Based on the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin. Produced by Wild Mercury Productions and True Vision Productions, the series began to air on BBC One on 17 July 2023. THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT consists of 4 episodes of 58 minutes.

STORY: The story explores the narcissistic manipulation and murder of Peter Farquhar and the death of his neighbour Ann Moore-Martin in the Buckinghamshire village of Maids Moreton in 2015 and 2017, and the fall out from these events including the police investigation and 2019 criminal trial of Ben Field and Martyn Smith.

GAY COUPLE STORYLINE: Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall) and Ann Moore-Martin (Anne Reid)  were neighbours in the village of Maids Moreton, living just three doors down from one another. Peter Farquhar and Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke) first met at the University of Buckingham before entering into what the academic believed was a loving relationship. Farquhar, who was gay, had long struggled to reconcile his faith with his sexuality and, as a result, was longing for companionship, which Field seized upon. After Field moved into Farquhar's home, he began poisoning him with a potent mix of alcohol and drugs, which he'd disguise in food and cups of tea. Without a medical diagnosis to explain the hallucinations and night terrors, Farquhar believed he was losing his mind. He also suffered physical injuries from falling over during states of confusion. Once Field had convinced Farquhar to change his will and make him the main beneficiary, the next stage of his wicked plot could commence: Farquhar's death.

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TIMOTHY SPALL (2023) February 27, 1957, Battersea, London, UK

ÉANNA HARDWICKE (2023) October 21, 1996, Cork, Ireland

SPECIAL: Based on a true story: Field admitted to poisoning Farquhar and "psychologically manipulating" both of them, but he denied any involvement in their deaths. In 2019, the 28-year-old was found guilty of Farquhar's murder and sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum sentence of 36 years. Field's former girlfriend, Laura Busby, who he had dated on and off for five years, was a key witness in the trial. Like so many people who had come into contact with Field, she was shocked by the revelations about the "lovely, caring person" she had believed he was.

AWARDS: 'THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT' won 2 BAFTAS. 5 wins and 6 nominations.

7.7 IMDB