Dark Angel

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

by Alison Graham

There are (clearly unintentional) shades of black comedy in this grim two part dramatisation of the [real] life of Victorian serial killer Mary Ann Cotton. Simply because two parts isn’t enough to accommodate comfortably all of Cotton’s bereavements and, later, murders.

So one after the other, with almost indecent haste, her children die then she starts poisoning her unfortunate spouses with arsenic for their life insurance money.

Downton’s Joanne Froggatt plays Cotton and it’s a thankless role as there’s little time for us to get to know Mary before she’s making deadly tea with a dark look on her face, or furiously coupling with a charming layabout who catches her eye or looking scheming in a shawl.

There’s good support from Alun Armstrong as her pub-owning, God-fearing stepfather and the evocation of a horribly hard life by the sea in 19th century north-east England is suitably vivid.

Summary

Part one of two. Fact-based period crime drama about serial poisoner Mary Ann Cotton, who raised herself socially and financially through adultery, bigamy, fraud and murder. It is 1857 and 24-year-old Mary Ann returns to Seaham, Co Durham after four years away, having eloped to Cornwall with Billy Mowbray. The couple then move to Sunderland, where Mary Ann begins an affair with miner Joe Nattrass and decides she has had enough of Billy, lacing his tea with arsenic powder. Joanne Froggatt stars, with Jonas Armstrong and Alun Armstrong.

Cast & Crew

Mary Ann Joanne Froggatt

Joe Nattrass Jonas Armstrong

Maggie Cotton Laura Morgan

Helen Robinson Emma Fielding

James Robinson Sam Hoare

George Stott Alun Armstrong

William Calcraft Seamus O'Neill

Billy Mowbray Tom Varey

Margaret Stott Penny Layden

Insurance agent George Potts

Seaham minister Paul Bentall

Mr Brownlee Bill Fellows

Sunderland doctor Mike Burnside

Dr John Maling John Hollingworth

George Ward Thomas Howes

Sunderland minister Nigel Cooke

Mr Johnson John Bowler

William Robinson George Kent

Elizabeth Robinson Hayley Walters

James Robinson Jr Alexander McMonigle

Sunderland vicar Michael Culkin

Isabella Mowbray (3 years) Isobel Dobson

Isabella Mowbray (7 years) Isla McMonigle

Director Brian Percival

Producer Jake Lushington

Writer Gwyneth Hughes

Drama

Full Episode Guide

Dark Angel: How were Mary Ann Cotton’s terrible crimes uncovered?

Find out more about the Victorian arsenic poisoner's trial - and how the newspapers latched onto the story

Accessibility Links

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Dark Angel: How were Mary Ann Cotton’s terrible crimes uncovered?

Meet the cast of Dark Angel

Who plays Laura Nielson in ITV's Liar? Meet Joanne Froggatt

Where was Dark Angel filmed? Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire

What time is Dark Angel on TV tonight?

Dark Angel

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Dark Angel: How were Mary Ann Cotton’s terrible crimes uncovered?

Meet the cast of Dark Angel

Who plays Laura Nielson in ITV's Liar? Meet Joanne Froggatt

Where was Dark Angel filmed? Saltburn-by-the-Sea in North Yorkshire

What time is Dark Angel on TV tonight?

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