The events leading up to Sarah Everard’s abduction and murder will be dramatized in a new two-part series for the BBC.
Philomena screenwriter Geoff Pope has written the fact-based drama, which follows Ms Everard in March 2021 when she was wrongfully arrested by a police officer on duty for breaking lockdown rules, who then raped and murdered her.
The 33-year-old marketing professional was walking home through south London when she was stopped and wrongfully arrested by police officer Wayne Cousins. He then drove her out of London, raped and murdered her, then set her body on fire and abandoned her in a lake.
It was later discovered that he was a sex offender, and although there were multiple complaints and allegations, the police did not take him seriously. On the night of the murder, he had just finished his shift at the U.S. Embassy and embarked on a premeditated and carefully planned killing.
The BBC series, which is currently untitled, will “investigate the circumstances that enabled a sex offender to become and remain a Metropolitan Police officer,” according to a press release.
The series will be produced by ITV Studios company Etta Pictures, which has been in contact with Everard’s family.
“Wayne Cousins should never have been a police officer, but the opportunity to deny him that privilege was missed,” Pope said. “The fact that he was still an active police officer on the night of March 3, 2021, after committing numerous sexual crimes over a long period of time, was a tragedy that was yet to come and an important question for this drama to ask.”
Lindsay Salt, director of drama at the BBC, said: “Drama has a unique ability to tackle real-life subjects with sensitivity and respect, and this series explores the impact of this horrific crime, the misogyny and failings within the Metropolitan Police, and what lessons can be learned. Award-winning author Geoff Pope treats this issue with sensitivity and will help ensure that the issues that led to Sarah Everard’s murder remain in the national consciousness for years to come.” Police will pursue responsibility. ”
Pope Executive will produce alongside Etta Pictures’ Saurabh Kakkar and Kirsty Cunningham and the BBC’s Nick Lambone.
