''U Be Dead'' is a British

TV film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a terrestr ...

first

broadcast Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

in New Zealand in 2009, based on a true story.www.bournemouthecho.co.uk
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Bournemouth Daily Echo The ''Bournemouth Daily Echo'', commonly known as the ''Daily Echo'' (a.k.a. the ''Bournemouth Echo''), is a local newspaper that covers the area of southeast Dorset, England, including the towns Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. Published b ...

: TV Drama recreates Poole stalker's

reign of terror The Reign of Terror (French: ''La Terreur'', literally "The Terror") was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the French First Republic, First Republic, a series of massacres and Capital punishment in France, nu ...

; Retrieved 3 September 2010. The film was shown in the United Kingdom on 5 September 2010 on ITV, and released in France on 2 July 2010 on television '' Arte HD'', and in Australia premiered as a telemovie on the ABC in January 2011.

Plot

psychiatrist A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate patients to determine whether their symptoms are the result of a physical illness, a combination of physical and mental ailments or strictly ...

Dr Jan Falkowski and his

fiancee An engagement or betrothal is the period of time between the declaration of acceptance of a marriage proposal and the marriage itself (which is typically but not always commenced with a wedding). During this period, a couple is said to be ''fi ...

Debra Pemberton are mysteriously stalked and harassed by a woman they have never met who claims to be in love with Falkowski. The woman sends

text messages Text messaging, or texting, is the act of composing and sending electronic messages, typically consisting of alphabetic and numeric characters, between two or more users of mobile phones, tablet computers, smartwatches, desktop computer, des ...

and anonymous phone calls to the couple, their colleagues and even their wedding caterer. Debra receives death threats claiming that she will be burnt and shot if she goes through with the wedding. The relationship has broken down under the strain and the wedding is called off, but a trap is set for their tormentor. On police advice, the engaged couple pretend to go ahead with their wedding plans, and the anonymous

stalker Stalking is unwanted and/or repeated surveillance or contact by an individual or group toward another person. Stalking behaviors are interrelated to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person or monitoring t ...

is caught in a

phone booth A telephone booth, telephone kiosk, telephone call box, telephone box or public call box is a tiny structure furnished with a payphone and designed for a telephone user's convenience; typically the user steps into the booth and closes the booth ...

on the "wedding day", preparing to send more threats. She is revealed as Maria Marchese, whose former boyfriend was a patient of Dr Falkowski. A police investigation begins, but then suddenly the

Crown Prosecution Service The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the principal public agency for conducting criminal prosecutions in England and Wales. It is headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The main responsibilities of the CPS are to provide legal adv ...

lawyers reveal that they are dropping the case against Maria. Dr Falkowski starts a new relationship with Bethan Ancell, a friend from his powerboat racing exploits. But worse is yet to come as Dr Falkowski is accused of rape by Maria. The evidence seems damning and a

criminal prosecution In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definitions of", in Can ...

begins against him, causing him to lose his job. A further 18 months of torment go by until a crucial new piece of

forensic Forensic science combines principles of law and science to investigate criminal activity. Through crime scene investigations and laboratory analysis, forensic scientists are able to link suspects to evidence. An example is determining the time and ...

evidence shatters the web of lies spun by Maria Marchese and leads to her downfall. Dr Falkowski and Bethan have to try to put it behind them and start a new life, hoping that Maria will never be able to track them down again.

Cast

David Morrissey David Mark Joseph Morrissey (born 21 June 1964) is an English actor and filmmaker. He had numerous small roles in films and television series throughout the 1990s before achieving wider recognition for playing Gordon Brown in '' The Deal'' (2003 ...

– Dr. Jan Falkowski * Alex Lowe – Drew Langdon *

Tara Fitzgerald Tara Anne Cassandra Fitzgerald (born 1967)is an English actress who has appeared in feature films, television, radio and the stage. She won the New York Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play in 1995 as Ophelia in ''Hamlet' ...

– Debra Pemberton *

Dearbhla Molloy Dearbhla Molloy (; born 1946) is an Irish actress. Early life Molloy was born to John Molloy and Evelyn Ryan and grew up on Yellow Walls Road in Malahide, County Dublin, Ireland, the eldest of seven children. She attended an Irish-language s ...

– Dr. Bernice Falkowska *

Michael Elwyn Michael Elwyn (born 23 August 1942) is a Welsh actor, notable for his work in film ('' Shadow Man''), stage ('' The Audience'', as Anthony Eden) and television (''Stella''). Elwyn was born in Pontypridd. He is the partner of actress Alison Stea ...

– Prof. Wojciech Falkowski * Thomas Craig – DC Lee Rutter *

Alexis Zegerman Alexis Zegerman is a British actress and writer. Early life and training Zegerman grew up in a British Jews, Jewish family in London, and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Acting career Film and TV Zegerman won a British Inde ...

– Gemma * Richard Lumsden – DI Steven Thorpe * Lucy Griffiths – Bethan Ancell *

Susannah Wise Susannah Walker Wise is an English television and stage actress. Life and career Wise trained as an actress at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, graduating in 1995. Wise is best known for her work in the soap opera ''EastEnders'' ...

– Laura *

Jan Francis Janet Stephanie Francis (born 5 August 1947) is an English actress. She appeared as Penny Warrender in the 1980s romantic comedy '' Just Good Friends''. Early life Francis was born at the former Charing Cross Hospital London. She is the eld ...

– Irene Pemberton *

John McArdle John McArdle (born 16 August 1949) is an English actor. He is most notable for playing Billy Corkhill in the soap opera '' Brookside'', with many other smaller appearances in other soaps and dramas. Playing a regular character in ''Brookside ...

– Brian Pemberton * Kate Steavenson-Payne – Helena *

Monica Dolan Monica Margaret Dolan (born 15 March 1969) is an English actress. She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Rosemary West in ''Appropriate Adult'' (2011) and the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting R ...

– Maria Marchese * David Groves – Damian Falkowski

References

External links

* {{Gwyneth Hughes British television films British English-language television shows ITV television dramas