The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe

  • Audio Description
  • S
  • DRAMA & SOAPS
  • 1h
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Contains some moderately strong language. Turn on Parental controls

Eddie Marsan is the conman who faked his death - a bizarre true story

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Series 1

Episode 1

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.

Episode 2

John successfully applies for a passport to create a new identity, while forcing Anne to demand an inquest into his death so that they can continue with their plan.

Episode 3

John has had enough of being dead and returns to England to declare he is suffering from amnesia, and he is reunited with his sons. Journalists hunt down Anne in Panama and the story starts to unravel as a photograph of the two of them emerges.

Episode 4

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. Their traumatised sons initially refuse contact but come to find forgiveness for their mother.