''The Widower'' is a British

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...

drama originally broadcast in three one-hour instalments on ITV in 2014. The series portrays the life and crimes of convicted murderer Malcolm Webster. ITV described the show as: "The Widower tells how, over a 13-year period, a seemingly mild-mannered

nurse Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health c ...

, Malcolm Webster, set about

poisoning A poison can be any substance that is harmful to the body. It can be swallowed, inhaled, injected or absorbed through the skin. Poisoning is the harmful effect that occurs when too much of that substance has been taken. Poisoning is not to ...

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." The series was written by Jim Barton and

Jeff Pope Jeff Pope is a British television producer and screenwriter who co-wrote the film ''Pierrepoint (film), Pierrepoint'' and the television drama ''The Fattest Man in Britain'' and who won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts, BAFTA in 2006 ...

Production

In March 2014, ITV announced the broadcast of ''The Widower''. 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. It was shown in New Zealand on TV One in July 2014. Webster's first wedding was reconstructed, based on a VHS recording provided by his first wife's family.

Reece Shearsmith Reeson Wayne "Reece" Shearsmith (born 27 August 1969) is an English actor, writer and comedian. He is best known for being a member of '' The League of Gentlemen'', alongside Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss, and Jeremy Dyson. With Pemberton, he l ...

, 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." Malcolm Webster was not approached (although his solicitor was informed that the film was being made).http://presscentre.itvstatic.com/presscentre/sites/presscentre/files/The%20Widower.pdf Banerjee complimented Shearsmith's performance and described the production as "99% accurate". Drumm initially declined to comment on the series. She is said to have been reluctant to take part in the project, but felt obligated due to being financially destitute. 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 The trait theory, traits of extraversion (also spelled extroversion Retrieved 2018-02-21.) and introversion are a central dimension in some human personality psychology, personality theories. The terms ''introversion'' and ''extraversion'' were ...

, 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. 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."

Cast

as Malcolm Webster *

Sheridan Smith Sheridan Caroline Sian Smith OBE (born 25 June 1981) is an English actress, singer and television personality. Smith came to prominence after playing a variety of characters on sitcoms such as ''The Royle Family'' (1999–2000), '' Two Pints ...

as Claire Webster *

Fiona O'Carroll Fiona O'Carroll is an Irish actress and a cast-member of the popular BBC/RTÉ sitcom, '' Mrs. Brown's Boys''. Fiona is the daughter of Doreen O'Carroll and ''Mrs. Brown's Boys'' star and creator, Brendan O'Carroll. Early life and family O'Carr ...

as Lucy *

Kate Fleetwood Kate Fleetwood (born 24 September 1972) is an English actress. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Lady Macbeth in '' Macbeth'', which first opened at Chichester Festival Theatre and was transferred to the West End and Br ...

as Felicity Drumm *

Archie Panjabi Archana Panjabi (born 31 May 1972) is a British actress. She has had various roles in both UK and US television including as Maya Roy in ''Life on Mars'' (2006–07), Nas Kamal in NBC crime drama '' Blindspot'' (2016–17, 2020), Kendra Malle ...

as Simone Banerjee * John Hannah as DI Charlie Henry *

James Laurenson James Laurenson (born 17 February 1940) is a New Zealand stage and screen actor. Early life Laurenson was born in Marton, North Island, New Zealand. He was a student at Canterbury University College in Christchurch (now University of Canter ...

as Brian Drumm * Juliet Alderice as Margaret Drumm * Fereday Holmes as Jane Drumm *

Alex Ferns Alexander Ferns (born 13 October 1968) is a Scottish actor and television personality, best known for his ''EastEnders'' role as Trevor Morgan, who was described as "Britain's most-hated soap villain" when he played the role between 2000 and 200 ...

as DCI Neil Thompson *

Joanna Roth Joanna Roth (born Joanna Angelis in 1965) is a Danish-British actress. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and has appeared in film, TV, video games and theatre, in roles such as Ophelia in the film '' Rosencrantz & Guilde ...

as Trisha Heron * Paul Blair as DC Peter Jarvis

Episodes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Widower, The 2014 British television series debuts 2014 British television series endings 2010s British crime drama television series 2010s British television miniseries English-language television shows ITV crime dramas Murder in television Television series about widowhood Television series based on actual events Television series by ITV Studios Television shows set in the Republic of Ireland