Sign in
Series · 2022–2022Ended

The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe

7.0·1 season·4 episodes·47 min avg.·United Kingdom

The extraordinary and compelling story of how John Darwin faked his own death to claim life insurance and avoid bankruptcy will be told in The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. The drama relates how Anne Darwin's husband, a prison officer, came up with the hare-brained scheme to defraud insurance companies, unbeknownst to their two sons.

Your progress map

0 of 4 episodes0%

WatchedUp nextUnwatched
01
Episode 1Up next
Apr 17, 2022·7.5

We meet John and Anne Darwin, a couple plagued by debt. Facing bankruptcy John decides to fake his own death using his canoe, much to the horror of his wife. They successfully pull it off and John goes into hiding while Anne consoles her sons.

02
Episode 2
Apr 18, 2022·7.5

John successfully applies for a passport to create a new identity, while forcing Anne to demand an inquest into his death so they can get the insurance pay out.

03
Episode 3
Apr 19, 2022·7.5

John has had enough of being dead and returns to England to declare he is suffering from amnesia. Journalists hunt down Anne in Panama and their story starts to unravel.

04
Episode 4
Apr 20, 2022·7.5

The truth emerges when Anne and John are interviewed by the police. The case goes to trial where Anne pleads not guilty on the grounds of marital coercion.

Cast

4 credited
Eddie Marsan
John Darwin
Monica Dolan
Anne Darwin
Mark Stanley
Mark Darwin
Dominic Applewhite
Anthony Darwin

More like this