Harsh Vardhan
The mysteries behind Rachel Nickell’s murder will unfold for the cameras soon! The filming of Netflix’s true-crime series ‘The Witness’ will start in London, England, and Spain in August. Created by Rob Williams, ‘The Witness’ delves into the notorious murder of Nickell on Wimbledon Common in London and its aftermath, through the POVs of her son Alex and husband André Hanscombe. The cast has not yet been announced, but it has been confirmed that the series will consist of three episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 60 minutes.
The show will chronicle the journey of Alex and André Hanscombe following the brutal murder of Rachel in 1992. André, who is thrust into single parenthood overnight, prioritizes Alex’s well-being amid media scrutiny and a frantic police investigation. As the only eyewitness to the attack, Alex’s trauma adds complexity to their struggle. The series looks into their resilience in the face of tragedy, depicting their path from darkness to eventual healing.
Rachel Jane Nickell, a British woman, tragically lost her life on Wimbledon Common in south-west London on July 15, 1992. Walking with her two-year-old son, Alex, Nickell was attacked and stabbed 49 times in the neck and torso, succumbing to her injuries at the scene. The initial investigation led to the wrongful arrest and subsequent acquittal of an innocent man, leaving the case unsolved for years. However, in 2002, advancements in forensic technology prompted a reopening of the case.
In December 2008, Robert Napper pleaded guilty to Nickell’s manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Already detained at Broadmoor Hospital for a 1993 double murder, Napper was ordered to remain there indefinitely. At the time of her death, Nickell lived near Wimbledon Common with André and Alex. She was only 23 years old at the time of her tragic passing.
STV Studios is producing the series, with executive producer Sarah Brown leading the production. John Yorke also serves as an executive producer, with Alison Sterling contributing as a producer.
Sarah Brown has commented on the project, saying, “This is true crime but through a very different lens: it’s a story of trauma but also one of survival and healing, and it’s a privilege to be working with Alex and André to help bring their moving journey to the screen. We’re also thrilled to be collaborating once again with Rob Williams whose humanity and sensitivity as a screenwriter make him the perfect person to tell this story.”
Alex and André Hanscombe have also shared their thoughts, stating, “We can’t thank STV Studios and Netflix enough for helping share our story, and it’s a blessing to be working with them and to Rob, John, and Sarah. We are much indebted to the whole team. Our journey has all been by the grace of God and a promise to go on together. We hope that audiences will be left with a testament to the tough battle of life we all face and to the power of faith, hope, love – and never giving up.”
The brutal murder was previously featured in the crime documentary series ‘Crimes That Shook Britain,’ which aired on March 11, 2012. In 2018, Stuart Pender directed the documentary film ‘Rachel Nickell: The Untold Story,’ written and presented by journalist Fiona Bruce, detailing the horrific crime and the wrongful accusation that followed.
Spain recently hosted the production of ‘The Asunta Case,’ a Netflix miniseries based on a real crime. Meanwhile, London served as the backdrop for Netflix’s ‘Baby Reindeer,’ which follows the true story of Richard Gadd’s tumultuous encounter with a female stalker and the resulting impact, forcing him to confront a deeply buried trauma.
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