The screenwriter of the new drama about the murders of the husband’s parents describes the couple as “still very much in Love” despite being serving sentences.
Christopher and Susan Edwards, both now 63, killed William and Patricia Wycherley at their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, in May 1998.
After spending 15 years living on the Wycherleys pensions and proceeds from their house sale, they told family members that the pair went to Ireland in the past fifteen years.
The story is now being retold in a new Sky drama Landscapers. Written by Ed Sinclair (husband of Olivia Colman), the show features Susan and Christopher.
Sinclair did extensive research on the story of the couple and found that they are still in love, even though they’re held in two prisons.
Sky Original Drama Landscapers, which stars David Thewlis, and Olivia Colman tells the story of a couple that seems ordinary who becomes the center of an extraordinary investigation
After a June 2014 trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Christopher Edwards was found guilty by Susan and her mother of killing their parents.
The dark comedy-drama features fantasy sequences, including wild west shootouts based on Mrs Edwards’ love of comboy movies and the couple’s collection of film memorabilia, which included an autograph of Gary Cooper purchased for nearly £3,000.
Sinclair explained that Susan’s father had sexually assaulted her, which wasn’t well reported, was what seemed to be the explanation for everything.
“It could have been trauma that made her lose touch with reality. I was elated to see how much Susan and Christopher loved one another.
“They’re still together, and they’re still in love.
They were found dead in the back yard of their home in October 2013. This is more than 15 years ago after they had been murdered.
The only two phtotographs police found of Mr Wycherley after discovery of the bodies. Since then, photos of Patricia Wycherley have never been made public. Two times, the couple was shot using a WWII revolver. They were then buried in their garden in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Olivia Colman expressed gratitude to Ed for asking her to take on the project. It was possible to remain at a distance. [from the material]. I am not at all a technique actor.
David Thewlis said: “I approached the entire thing by forgetting the crime and looking at their relationships.
“Thinking about how stressful their lives were, without actually thinking about what it had been like. It wasn’t for long.
“We did not know anything about these people. We have never been to their homes and can’t speak on their behalf publicly.
“We are here to serve this project, so it was easy for us not to be involved in the actual story.”
Olivia Colman stars as Susan Edwards and Christopher Edwards, while David Thewlis plays the role of Christopher Edwards.
For the murders her parents committed, Edwards received sentences of life imprisonment at Nottingham Crown Court in October 2014. They were also sentenced to 25 years in total.
Between the murder in 1998 and the discovery of the bodies, the Edwards’ stole £280,000 from the dead couple through their pensions and benefits and selling their home.
The couple, who married in 1983, faced financial difficulties over many years but saw an opportunity following the brutal murder of the Wycherleys.
Police believe that this revolver was used to murder William Wycherley and Patricia Wycherley in Second World War Commando. 38 calibre.
Susan and Christopher lived together for 15 more years, pretending her parents were alive. They looted the Wycherleys’ bank accounts and spent thousands of dollars on memorabilia and autographs from celebrities.
Susan Edwards sent letters and cards to her relatives claiming that her parents decided to visit Ireland “because of the good weather”.
Susan and Christopher shared with their family that Susan’s parents had been to Ireland in 2011.
Following the killings, Susan cleared £40,000 from two bank accounts in the names of her parents, before closing the account and opening another in the name of herself and her mother.
The total amount diverted into the joint account was said at trial to be £245,705, although this was later revised upwards to £286,285.
In October 2013, the Edwards got a request from the “authorities”, to interview Wycherley, as Wycherley’s 100th birthday neared.
They fled east London for Lille in France after they found the Centenarian Society 2012 note. Edwards, who was asking for loan money, confessed to his stepmother that the Wycherleys had been buried. He was then contacted by police which led to Edwards and Wycherley being arrested.
- Landscapers, Sky Atlantic, Tuesday, 9pm