The abduction and murder of Sarah Everard is set to be dramatized in a new two-part series for the BBC.
“Philomena” scribe Jeff Pope is writing the factual drama, which follows the events of March 2021 when Everard was falsely arrested for breaking lockdown rules by a serving police officer who went on to rape and murder her.
The 33-year-old marketing professional was walking home through South London when she was stopped by officer Wayne Couzens and falsely placed under arrest. He then drove her outside of London to rape and murder her before setting her body on fire and later dumping it in a lake.
It later emerged he was a sexual offender with multiple complaints and allegations against him, which were not taken seriously by the police force. On the night of the murder he had just finished working a shift at the U.S. embassy before embarking on the premeditated and well-planned slaying.
According to the press release the BBC series, which is currently untitled, will “examine the circumstances that allowed a sexual offender to become, and remain, a Metropolitan Police officer.”
The series will be produced by ITV Studios company Etta Pictures, who are in contact with Everard’s family.
“Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer, but opportunities to deny him that privilege were missed,” said Pope. “That he was still a serving officer on the night of March 3rd 2021, after committing numerous sexual offences over a long period of time, was a tragedy waiting to happen, and the key question asked by this drama.”
Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC, said: “Drama has a unique ability to sensitively and respectfully tackle real life subjects and this series will explore the impact of this horrific crime, the misogyny and failings from within the Met Police and what lessons can be learnt. Award-winning writer Jeff Pope will treat this with the utmost care, helping to ensure that the issues that led to Sarah Everard’s murder remain in the public consciousness for years to come, whilst continuing to hold the police to account.”
Pope exec produces alongside Saurabh Kakkar and Kirsty Cunningham for Etta Pictures and Nick Lambon for the BBC.
Source: variety.com
