ITV COMMISSIONS ALL3MEDIA'S “THE THIEF, HIS WIFE AND THE CANOE”

The extraordinary and compelling story of how John Darwin faked his own death to claim life insurance and avoid bankruptcy will be told in a new ITV drama, “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe,” written by acclaimed screenwriter Chris Lang. Produced in association with All3Media International, the drama relates how Anne Darwin’s husband, a prison officer, came up with the hare-brained scheme to defraud insurance companies, unbeknownst to their two sons.

“The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe” will be produced by Story Films, the company founded by three times BAFTA-winning director David Nath and fellow award-winning director Peter Beard. Susie Liggat also executive produces, with Alison Sterling producing. They will be joined by the celebrated screenwriter Chris Lang, who will also executive produce the four-part series. BAFTA winning director Richard Laxton will direct each of the episodes. “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe” is based upon the unpublished manuscript written by journalist David Leigh, who was the first journalist to find and interview Anne in Panama.

“This is an extraordinary story of deception within a very ordinary family. Chris has written brilliant scripts about the heart-breaking cost of this elaborate lie. I am so pleased to be working with Richard Laxton again and with Dave Nath and Story Films first drama for ITV,”  commented Polly Hill, Head of Drama at ITV.

“If I'd tried to sell this project as an original story, it would never have got further than the pitch. It is just too far-fetched, Chris, no-one would ever believe that any of that could actually have happened. Except it did. All of it. And I loved writing every single word,”  said screenwriter Chris Lang.

Filming for “The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe” will commence in the spring of 2021. Casting and the appointment of further key production personnel will be advised closer to filming commencing. All3Media International will represent the show internationally.