Residents in a village where the Sixth Commandment series starring Timothy Spall as Peter Farquhar and Anne Reid as Ann Moore-Martin, have reacted with fury - including the parish council.
BBC's four-part true crime drama The Sixth Commandment tells the complex story leading to the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in the village of Maids Moreton.
The series written by Sarah Phelps explores how they were manipulated and gaslighted by a student named Ben Field (starring Éanna Hardwicke).
READ MORE: BBC's The Sixth Commandment: The shocking true story
Peter's and Ann's deaths eventually led to the unravelling of Ben's deceitful ploy targeting the two pensioners with devastating consequences.
Ben’s manipulation of university lecturer Peter drove his victim to think he was losing his mind before Peter was murdered by the man in 2015, who had his eyes set on Peter’s wealth.
Even though the series is based around the Maids Moreton village, filming actually took place in Bristol and Bath.
The Maids Moreton Parish Council aired their opinions about the series in their summer newsletter.
The letter states the council declined to engage with producers over the making of the drama as it “seemed premature and in poor taste.”
ALSO READ: What happened to Ben Fields? Murderer of Peter Farquhar
It reads: "Wild Mercury and True Vision have made a 4‐part series for the BBC telling the story of the events that led up to the tragic deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore Martin.
"We declined to engage with them as it seemed premature and in poor taste. The series is likely to air on the BBC in mid-July.
"We have been informed that whilst the series shows brief images of the real Maids Moreton, including the village sign, it does not feature the houses where Peter or Ann lived, nor any other homes in the village."
Ben’s scheme came to light only after he began targeting Peter’s neighbour Ann. He manipulated the deeply religious retired headteacher by writing messages on her mirrors purporting them to be from God.
Ann died in May 2017 from natural causes.
During his murder trial in 2019, Ben admitted his fraudulent relationships with the two pensioners to get them to change their wills for him.
Val Eves, 75, who attends Maids Moreton Church regularly, says she thinks one person will like the drama
She told the Mirror: “ I'm surprised at the BBC for showing this series.
"From what I know of Ben Field, from the way he was at his trial, he would be delighted they have made a drama basically about him. It glorifies him.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “The series was made in full cooperation with members of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin’s families who viewed the episodes ahead of transmission and are fully supportive of the series.
"Filming took place in and around Bristol and Bath. Production did not film in Maids Moreton apart from a few establishing shots.”
What do you think of the show?
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