{"id":7289,"date":"2026-06-30T08:08:04","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T08:08:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/faultless-bbc-crime-drama-based-on-harrowing-true-events-broadchurch-fans-will-binge-watch\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T08:08:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T08:08:04","slug":"faultless-bbc-crime-drama-based-on-harrowing-true-events-broadchurch-fans-will-binge-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/faultless-bbc-crime-drama-based-on-harrowing-true-events-broadchurch-fans-will-binge-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Faultless&#8217; BBC crime drama based on harrowing true events Broadchurch fans will binge watch"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_dce647\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The BBC series is based on a true crime and has been branded &#8220;harrowing&#8221; and &#8220;the best television drama&#8221; &#8211; and it&#8217;s essential viewing for fans of Broadchurch<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37309800\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Sixth Commandment, 17-07-2023,1, Timothy Spall as Peter Farquhar\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309800.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_436334The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309800.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_436334The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309800.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_436334The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309800.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_436334The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The series stars Timothy Spall\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The series stars Timothy Spall<cite aria-label=\"Image: BBC\/Wild Mercury\/Amanda Searle\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: BBC\/Wild Mercury\/Amanda Searle)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A BBC crime drama led by two British acting icons has been branded &#8220;harrowing&#8221; and &#8220;the best television drama&#8221; owing to its &#8220;faultless acting&#8221; and &#8220;perfect script&#8221; &#8211; perfect for devotees of Broadchurch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There&#8217;s a wealth of critically acclaimed <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"BBCLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/bbc\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">BBC<\/a> television programmes to watch and revisit, with some continuing to entrance viewers across the globe. There&#8217;s a selection of gripping crime dramas that remain celebrated for years following their original broadcast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Whether it&#8217;s the gritty, dark gem <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Happy ValleyLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/happy-valley\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Happy Valley<\/a>, or the eternally popular, Benedict Cumberbatch-led Sherlock, the adored police drama Line of Duty, or the notoriously gut-wrenching Broadchurch, there&#8217;s content for all tastes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Those seeking a &#8220;completely enthralling&#8221; drama rooted in actual events should look to The Sixth Commandment, which premiered on BBC One in July of 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The four-part true crime drama series focuses on the real-life manipulation and killing of elderly pensioner Peter Farquhar by PhD student Ben Field, and the death of his neighbour Ann Moore-Martin, in the Buckinghamshire village of Maids Moreton.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37309783\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37309783\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"436360,The Sixth Commandment\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309783.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_436360The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309783.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_436360The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309783.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_436360The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309783.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_436360The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"'Harrowing' BBC drama The Sixth Commandment is based on actual events\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">&#8216;Harrowing&#8217; BBC drama The Sixth Commandment is based on actual events<cite aria-label=\"Image: BBC\/Wild Mercury\/Amanda Searle\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: BBC\/Wild Mercury\/Amanda Searle)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Peter had been a novelist and English lecturer, while Ann was a retired school headteacher. Field preyed upon them both for their wealth and started gas-lighting them in an attempt to persuade them they were losing their minds, hoping to profit from their altered wills.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The BBC drama features Timothy Spall as Peter Farquhar, Anne Reid as Ann Moore-Martin, and \u00c9anna Hardwicke as Ben Field. The wider cast also includes Sheila Hancock, Annabel Scholey, Ben Bailey Smith and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Written by Sarah Phelps and directed by Saul Dibb, the series continues to be held in the highest regard to this day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Sixth Commandment has earned an impressive 90% on the popular review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, where both critics and audiences have lavished the drama with glowing praise.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37309782\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37309782\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"436335,The Sixth Commandment\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_436335The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_436335The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_436335The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37309782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_436335The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Timothy Spall as Peter Farquhar in The Sixth Commandment\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Timothy Spall as Peter Farquhar in The Sixth Commandment<cite aria-label=\"Image: BBC\/Wild Mercury\/Amanda Searle\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: BBC\/Wild Mercury\/Amanda Searle)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">One critic said: &#8220;Despite the sadness it is also compulsively watchable. It is likely it would not reach such heights with a lesser actor than Spall in the central role of Farquhar.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Another agreed: &#8220;An excellent miniseries that, in its quest to be as natural as possible when it comes to recounting somber events, manages to be even more moving than perhaps it initially intended.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A third wrote: &#8220;With this calibre of stars and an exceptional supporting cast, Ben Field&#8217;s cold-hearted plots and manipulation are all the more shocking because we feel as though we know his victims so well &#8211; we&#8217;re personally involved.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A fourth said: &#8220;This show is so harrowing it borders on unwatchable. It also might well be the best television drama of the year.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While another added: &#8220;This was [an] outstanding drama on every front. Phelps set a delicate, mournful tone from the off, which the brilliant Reid and Spall built on as only they can. Best of all, the entire drama allowed the victims their dignity.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Viewers were just as enthusiastic. One simply said: &#8220;The best thing I have watched on television. Faultless acting, perfect script and completely enthralling. What an achievement.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">The Sixth Commandment is available to stream now on BBC <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"iPlayerLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/iplayer\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">iPlayer<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/tv\/tv-news\/faultless-bbc-crime-drama-based-37309784\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The BBC series is based on a true crime and has been branded &#8220;harrowing&#8221; and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_436334The-Sixth-Commandment.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7289\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}