A chilling British true-crime drama starring Olivia Colman and David Thewlis is worth discovering for viewers who enjoy unsettling mysteries inspired by real events.

Originally released in 2021, Landscapers tells the extraordinary story of a seemingly ordinary married couple whose carefully maintained secrets begin to unravel following the discovery of two bodies buried in a Nottinghamshire garden.

With just four episodes, the acclaimed miniseries offers a compact but deeply disturbing account of a real-life murder case.

The True Story Behind Landscapers

The drama follows Susan and Christopher Edwards, a married couple from Dagenham whose lives became the subject of a major criminal investigation.

Susan, a librarian, and Christopher, an accountant, were convicted in 2014 of murdering Susan’s parents, Patricia and William Wycherley.

The victims’ bodies had been buried in the back garden of their home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where they remained undiscovered for 15 years.

During that time, Susan and Christopher went to extraordinary lengths to create the impression that her parents were still alive.

Their elaborate deception eventually collapsed, leading investigators to uncover the disturbing circumstances surrounding the couple’s disappearance.

Colman portrays Susan, while Thewlis takes on the role of Christopher, bringing the unusual relationship at the center of the case to life.

A True-Crime Drama With an Unusual Storytelling Style

Unlike conventional crime dramas, Landscapers does not simply reconstruct the investigation through a straightforward sequence of events.

Instead, the series moves between reality and the romanticized world Susan and Christopher have created for themselves.

This approach explores the couple’s emotional connection alongside the darker aspects of their story, creating a drama that is occasionally surreal, unexpectedly tender and deeply unsettling.

The series was created and written by Ed Sinclair, Olivia Colman’s husband, and directed by Will Sharpe.

Their distinctive approach gives the four-part production an atmosphere that sets it apart from more traditional true-crime adaptations.

Critics Praise Olivia Colman and David Thewlis

Landscapers received widespread critical acclaim following its release.

The series holds a 98% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting the enthusiastic response to its performances and unconventional storytelling.

The Guardian awarded the drama five stars, describing Colman and Thewlis as “heartbreaking and utterly convincing.”

Both actors bring emotional complexity to their characters, portraying a relationship shaped by devotion, isolation and a deeply distorted understanding of reality.

Rather than relying entirely on the details of the murders, the series examines how the couple’s private world became increasingly disconnected from the truth.

Where to Watch Landscapers

With only four episodes, Landscapers is an accessible choice for anyone looking for a complete British crime drama that can be watched over a weekend.

The miniseries is listed as available through Prime Video, Sky Atlantic, NOW and Apple TV, although access may depend on location and subscription arrangements.

Combining a remarkable real-life case with acclaimed performances and imaginative direction, Landscapers offers a distinctive take on the true-crime genre.