BBC confirms new factual drama focused on the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens

The BBC has commissioned a new factual drama focusing on the events surrounding the death of Sarah Everard, who was murdered by a serving police officer in London in 2021.

The two-part drama, which is currently untitled, “will examine the circumstances that allowed a sexual offender to become, and remain, a Metropolitan Police officer,” according to the BBC.

It will also consider “the impact these failings have had on public confidence in policing, particularly in light of the epidemic of violence against women and girls”.

Wayne Couzens was found guilty of abducting, raping and murdering Everard in 2021.

The series is being penned by award-winning writer Jeff Pope, who has previously turned real-life stories into TV drama with the likes of Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and A Confession.

He also executive produced the BBC’s The Reckoning, which examined the crimes of Jimmy Savile, and ITV’s See No Evil: The Moors Murders, which focused on the murders committed by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley.

Pope said in a statement: “Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer, but opportunities to deny him that privilege were missed. 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 BBC Drama, said that 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".

She added: “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."

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