BBC One to broadcast drama exploring Sarah Everard’s murder

The series, which will be broadcast on BBC One, will tell the story of Sarah Everard’s abduction and murder and examine the wider issues of misogyny and police failings that the case exposed.

Ms Everard, 33, grew up in York and was a student at Fulford School before moving to London where she worked as a marketing executive.

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She was abducted, raped and murdered by former armed Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in south London in March 2021. He tricked her into thinking he could arrest her for breaking lockdown rules as she walked home.

The two-part series will look at how Couzens was able to become a Metropolitan Police officer, as well as how his offending was dismissed and evidence against him was not collected.

Jeff Pope, the drama’s writer and executive producer, said: “Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer, but opportunities to deny him that privilege were missed.

“That he was still a serving officer on the night of March 3, 2021, after committing numerous sexual offences over a long period of time, was a tragedy waiting to happen, and the key question asked by this drama.”

BBC executives said the drama will be handled with “sensitivity and respect.”

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: “Drama has a unique ability to sensitively and respectfully tackle real-life subjects and this series will explore the impact of this horrific crime, the misogyny and failings from within the Met Police and what lessons can be learnt.

“Award-winning writer Jeff Pope will treat this with the utmost care, helping to ensure that the issues that led to Sarah Everard’s murder remain in the public consciousness for years to come, whilst continuing to hold the police to account.”

The drama will be split into two hour-long parts, produced by Etta Pictures, with a release date yet to be announced.