The Sixth Commandment viewers all say the same thing about ‘horrendous and disturbing’ new true crime drama
NEW BBC drama The Sixth Commandment aired part one last night, leaving many viewers shaken and disturbed.
The four-part series has an all-star cast including Timothy Spall, Anne Reid, Dame Sheila Hancock and Èanna Hardwicke.
The Sixth Commandment is based on real events involving author Peter Farquhar, who was killed by Benjamin Field, with the TV adaptation penned by screenwriter Sarah Phelps.
Sarah also has writing credits on popular thrillers such as A Very British Scandal, Dublin Murders and The ABC Murders.
In 2015, Benjamin fabricated a fake relationship with Peter to take advantage of him and eventually applied the same tactics to his neighbour Ann Moore-Martin.
Timothy plays Peter in the TV adaptation, with Anne as Ann and Èanna as Benjamin.
Fans of the show found the first episode to be difficult viewing due to the subject matter.
A live tweeter during the first episode found it hard to stomach and said: “Am watching the sixth commandment it’s horrifying.”
Another added: “My word, The Sixth Commandment is a piece of work. Ben is like Louis Theroux’s evil twin – a staggeringly wrong ‘un. Tim Spall and Anne Reid are excellent as you’d expect, but the story is simply off the scale.”
One onlooker said: “Timothy Spall’s performance in The Sixth Commandment was more than outstanding it was great. A sad and chilling warning to those who’s lives are empty of love.”
“Watch The Sixth Commandment on iPlayer now, not an easy watch but bloody brilliant script,” a binge-watcher chimed in.
A fellow binger added: “Captivating and frighteningly real. Had to watch the entire thing. Now drained. And will watch again. #TheSixthCommandment #timothyspall at his very best with a majestic cast and superb writing from #sarahphelps. Brilliant.”
Another declared: “Top quality TV tonight with #TheSixthCommandment – a harrowing, heart breaking and horrendous true story with captivating performances, particularly from Timothy Spall. This is a long, long way from Auf Weidersehen, Pet!”
The Sixth Commandment continues on BBC One on Monday July 24 or all four episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.