Even if it wasn’t a true story, would still be a thoroughly captivating watch, thanks to the bonkers nature of the crime and the stellar performances from the cast, lead by and Monica Dolan.
So the fact that – aside of course from the odd added dramatised moment and imagined dialogue between the characters – is almost too unfathomable to believe.
In the early 2000s, John Darwin hatched a plan involving his wife Anne Darwin to fake his own death, as he saw it as the .
Having been on the verge of bankruptcy, John conceived the elaborate ruse to make it seem as though one day when he took his canoe out at sea, he had disappeared and drowned, so that Anne could claim life insurance money for both of them.
Unbeknownst to the authorities and the fascinated public, John had left his canoe to be discovered as part of the zany plot, before returning to live at the house next door his home, which he and his wife had previously purchased as part of the bedsits they owned.
One of the saddest aspects of the story is that even John and Anne’s , played to heartbreaking effect by Mark Stanley and Dominic Applewhite in the drama, were led to believe their father had died a gruesome death.
With each turn, John and Anne dug themselves a deeper and deeper hole… although in the series, John appears unperturbed by the possible repercussions of their lie, believing without a shadow of a doubt in his mind that they’re going to get away with it.
Anne, on the other hand, is conflicted from the start, depicted as feeling pressured into a situation she never wanted to be a part of.
One of the main sources of Anne’s guilt is the lie she told to her sons, as she fears beyond anything else that they may never forgive her for what she’s done.
This fear also extends to the worry that John could decide to leave her, having first met when they were teenagers, which is why she is able to be convinced to go along with the plot, incriminating herself every step of the way.
There couldn’t be a better choice to play John than Eddie, who depicts him as a narcissistic, egocentric individual who has his wife wrapped around his little finger.
Despite the clear manipulation tactics John uses to get his way, viewers can understand how he’s able to charm his way into Anne’s good graces again and again, even when he breaks down her character, makes her feel unworthy and persuades her to lead a felonius life that would eventually be splashed across the front pages of the papers.
With Anne, one could easily ask why she didn’t just walk away… but Monica portrays her character’s fragility, insecurities and inherently innocent nature so authentically that it becomes understandable why she felt she was trapped with no discernible escape route.
However, on the other hand, the idea that anyone could lie to their children by telling them that one of the parents had died will undoubtedly leave many viewers utterly bewildered long after they’ve finished the finale.
While no one can never truly know the ins and outs of the Darwins’ relationship, it’s made abundantly clear in the show that the notion of emotional manipulation was not taken as seriously a mere 14 years ago as one would assume it would be today.
The drama brings up the question of how Anne could have been controlled by John and pressured into abetting a crime when he wasn’t always present next to her, as at some points they communicated over the phone while he was in Panama.
Therefore, telling this tale from Anne’s point of view, emphasising the emotional turmoil she underwent and how the rug was pulled under her feet, allows the viewer to feel sympathy for her while also understanding that her sons had every right to feel incensed and heartbroken by her actions.
In an age where some TV shows can go on for way too long and filler episodes are all-too common an occurrence, making The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe a four-part series was a stroke of genius.
The tale is told in a way that’s both succinct and absorbing, relaying the true events in an authentic manner while also allowing the audience sufficient time to make up their own minds as to the extent to which Anne should have been penalised for her involvement.
Verdict on The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe
At first, viewers may be surprised by the dark humour injected into the show, such as Eddie’s unique style of acting that he always pulls off with effortless ease.
However, this flips when the audience realises just how manipulative and controlling he is in his relationship with Anne, sparking sympathy for his wife despite the significant involvement she had in his cover-up.
Many people will know the ins and outs of the case before watching the drama, having followed along when it was reported in the papers at the time.
Nonetheless, the story is so gripping and magnificently told that you’re still left waiting to discover which twists will be uncovered next and the consequences they will have on John, Anne, their relationship and their family.
The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe airs tonight at 9pm on ITV and will be available to watch on ITV Hub.
