Is The Pembrokeshire Murders on Netflix based on a true story?

As a journalist who has covered numerous crime dramas, I must say that “The Pembrokeshire Murders” stands out as one of the most compelling and heart-wrenching cases I’ve encountered. The dedication and relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Steve Wilkins, portrayed masterfully by Luke Evans, is a testament to his unyielding commitment to his profession and his community.

The Pembrokeshire Murders has landed on Netflix, introducing a brand new audience to the Luke Evans and Keith Allen-starring drama.

The three-part TV series, initially premiered on ITV in 2021, centers on an intense manhunt for a notorious serial killer, many years following his horrific crimes involving four grisly murders.

In a new role, Evans plays Detective Superintendent Steve Wilkins, who recently got promoted and chooses to re-examine two cold cases: the double murder of Richard and Helen Thomas back in 1985, along with the murders of Peter and Gwenda Dixon from 1989. Both investigations have remained unsolved until now.

Ultimately, the investigation points towards John Allen Cooper, a man soon to be freed from prison due to a series of burglary charges.

Curious if the captivating show is inspired by real events? Here’s what you should know instead.

Is The Pembrokeshire Murders based on a true story?

Indeed, the three-part series closely follows the real events, primarily drawing from a book co-authored by Steve Wilkins and ITV journalist Jonathan Hill. These two individuals are key figures in the narrative itself.

Despite certain parts of the narrative appearing somewhat improbable, it’s worth noting that all significant occurrences within the series aren’t fabricated solely for dramatic effect. The primary alterations made include changing a few character names, and in some cases, these characters are composites inspired by real-life individuals.

He commented: “However, upon reading the tale, I discovered that there were no fictional exaggerations in the narrative; instead, it’s as factual as a story can be. It truly offers an exhilarating journey, with each unexpected bend and twist, followed by a flicker of hope that keeps you utterly engrossed – precisely what one expects from a gripping drama.

Simultaneously, Alexandria Riley, Evans’ fellow actor portraying DI Ella Richards (based on several officers from Wilkins’ team), recalled her recollections of following the events of this case as they unfolded back then.

She described the situation as incredibly unreal, more bizarre than any novel, and all she could recall were feelings of terror and astonishment at her family’s house and among her friends.

It’s hard to believe that something so unexpected could occur in such a peaceful and picturesque place. The events seemed too unrealistic for a town like this, like they were straight out of a film script. This incident left us all utterly stunned.

We’ve put together everything you need to know about the real-life case below – including a timeline of events and a deeper dive into some of the key aspects of the story.

Timeline of events

December 1985 – Double murder of siblings Richard and Helen Thomas

May 1989 – John Cooper is a contestant on Bullseye

June 1989 – Double murder of Peter and Gwenda Dixon

March 1996 – Milford Haven attack on five children

2005 – Operation Ottawa begins and the double murder investigation is reopened

2008 – John Cooper is released from prison after serving 14 years for robbery and burglary

In 2011, John Cooper was handed a life sentence due to his involvement in the multiple murders of Richard and Helen Thomas, as well as Peter and Gwenda Dixon. Additionally, he was convicted for the assault in Milford Haven.

We’ve gone into some more detail about certain aspects of the real-life case below:

Bullseye appearance

Without a doubt, one captivating scene in the series that seems almost too unbelievable for a novel is my personal revelation: John Cooper, the perpetrator of a chilling double murder, had graced the screen on the renowned darts show Bullseye just prior to his heinous acts.

Discovering the Bullseye show’s footage featuring Cooper turned out to be pivotal in their efforts to find images of him during that time. Previously, Wilkins and his team were struggling to locate pictures from that era to match with the artist’s sketch of the primary suspect. However, they had been unsuccessful until they stumbled upon this footage.

It’s particularly noteworthy that he stumbled upon the Bullseye footage entirely by chance – this is shown in the program, where the landlord of a pub he visited after his son’s football game gave him a tip. This was after recognizing Cooper from a photo of the darts team displayed in the pub.

Simon Heath, the executive producer, stated: “It was significant progress in the case since although an artistic sketch of a possible suspect for the double murder had been made, John Cooper had intelligently removed all his photographs from that time period.

In other words, since there was nothing from the time period to compare Cooper with the artist’s depiction, this posed a continuous challenge for Steve, even as he began to piece together the evidence.

Later, during one of his son’s football games, he happened upon a pub by chance where it turned out Cooper used to play darts. A photo of Cooper was displayed on the dartboard. The landlord mentioned that Cooper had been on Bullseye, years earlier. With assistance from Jonathan Hill, who was covering the case, they traced the footage back to the ITV archive in Leeds.

In the process of creating our show, we managed to secure the same footage. The challenge was finding a way to seamlessly blend this real-life material with our fictional narrative. Our solution was to digitally overlay a de-aged version of Keith Allen onto the original scenes featuring Cooper, using visual effects (VFX). I must say, the tech team did an exceptional job, and the result is quite convincing.

Blood on the shorts

Apart from the video recordings, Wilkins and his team heavily relied on forensic proof to convict Cooper. This evidence, however, wasn’t easily found; it required extensive searching.

Ultimately, I helped them locate a pair of shorts that my tailor-wife Pat had customized for Cooper. Unbeknownst to her, she was inadvertently safeguarding a trace of one of her husband’s victim’s blood – by enclosing it within the hem of those shorts.

Nick Stevens pointed out that it’s fittingly symbolic how truth eventually comes to light, as demonstrated by Pat Cooper, a skilled seamstress. Cooper was instructed by her husband to modify these shorts because, in reality, they were female shorts. Cooper had found them among the possessions of one of the victims after he had tragically taken her life.

It turned out that he was rather self-conscious about the length of those shorts being women’s, so he asked his wife to adjust them. Unbeknownst to him, a small speck of one of the victims’ blood was embedded in them, which had been preserved for over two decades. Eventually, forensic scientist Dr. Angela Gallop and her team discovered it – quite an unbelievable twist!

In those two decades following the murders and up until his conviction, significant advancements in forensic science proved crucial in resolving the case. This realization, which occurred during his time in prison for burglary, filled Cooper with genuine terror.

In prison, Cooper often tuned into ITV News. Whenever he learned that his case had been reopened and investigators were seeking fresh evidence, he promptly requested all related books from the prison library without delay.

Intrigued by Simon Heath’s account, I found myself captivated by the story of Dr. Angela Gallop, a trailblazer in forensic science. Her groundbreaking work on the Damilola Taylor, Stephen Lawrence, and Lynette White cases was legendary, yet much of it remained obscure to the general public.

John Cooper’s son

In Wilkins and Hill’s book, there’s a portion that hints at John Cooper’s relationship with his son Andrew. However, it’s in the series where this relationship is delved into more deeply. It reveals that John frequently mistreated Andrew, even going so far as to try to implicate him in murders, despite the two having ended their relationship long ago.

While reading the book, Nick Stevens found this particular detail: When the detectives questioned Cooper, it was spread out over a period of three days. Whenever Cooper felt threatened, he would point the finger at his son, Andrew.

The book made it abundantly evident that Steve Wilkins strongly disapproved of this tactic, much like any parent would, finding it unjustifiable to involve one’s child in such heinous acts. This conviction fueled my determination to locate Andrew and share his narrative.

Therefore, Stevens along with their colleagues embarked on a quest to locate Cooper’s son, and despite the difficulties in tracing him, he ultimately consented to join them.

Stevens shared that it was difficult to locate him initially since he keeps a low profile. It was Jonathan Hill from ITV who eventually found him, and I must admit, I felt a bit anxious about our first encounter. This TV writer aimed to delve into the deepest parts of this man’s personal life, but he was always gracious and open. He viewed this as an opportunity to clear his name and share his perspective on events.

Perhaps “revenge” might be too harsh, but he felt it was important to address the unresolved issues with his estranged father, and he viewed this situation as a chance to confront those matters directly.

Steve Wilkins and his son

In the miniseries, it’s not just John Cooper and his son who have a father-son dynamic; we also witness several heartfelt interactions between Steve and his on-screen son, Jack (a character whose real name is not mentioned in the series).

Within the show, there’s a hint of tension in their bond, as Steve frequently prioritizes work over family time, leading to missed opportunities like his son’s soccer games. However, as the series progresses, it’s evident that Jack has found inspiration in his father’s dedication and perseverance.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “In episode three, Jack declares to his father that when their case wraps up, and they have a victory, he intends to become a police officer. Well, here’s the amazing twist – that’s precisely what transpired in real life!

Luke Evans remarked, “We had the pleasure of meeting the entire family, and Steve’s son is truly charismatic. His decision to follow in his father’s profession speaks volumes about Steve’s abilities as a detective, crime solver, and most notably, as a father.

What did the real-life Steve Wilkins and Jonathan Hill have to say about the programme?

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge the significant contribution of Steve Wilkins and Jonathan Hill in breathing life into this captivating series. Their book served as the foundation, but their roles extended far beyond that. They acted as trusted advisors, frequently gracing our set with their presence. This close collaboration was a game-changer for us actors, providing invaluable insights and ensuring an authentic portrayal of their work.

Evans remarked, “Steve and Jonathan were incredibly kind, offering their time abundantly. Steve spent extended hours with me and Alex [Riley], guiding us through the interrogation techniques, as well as sharing his insights about the moments of discovery – like when a hint of suspicion was found in one piece of forensic evidence, or when he finally identified the suspect.

He showed an exceptional level of generosity, not only in terms of the technical aspects but also the emotional repercussions it held for him and his family. The reason I was captivated by the storyline was that it wasn’t merely a quest to find the culprit; it was about a man who had to make sacrifices when it came to spending time with his loved ones.

Regarding Wilkins personally, he expressed it as “very strange” that a TV drama on ITV was being produced based on the case.

Initially, I’d heard ITV might be interested, but I had my doubts, ‘will this actually come true?’ he said. But then, unexpectedly, it did – there was a writer involved and the project seemed to develop independently. Even now, it’s hard for him to fully grasp that his story will air on TV.

Regarding working alongside Luke Evans, he mentioned, “It’s an honor to work with someone as talented as him, and his reputation precedes him. Before our movie shoot began, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Cardiff with Jonathan, and he’s just a genuinely nice person, very humble.

His understanding of the case was truly remarkable, and I admired his professionalism, combined with a humble and compassionate approach towards the investigation and the victims. He was exceptional in every way.

For quite a while now, I’ve harbored a deep interest in seeing a dramatic portrayal of this intriguing case unfold. In fact, I found myself penning letters to different commissioners expressing my wish for such a production. It wasn’t until writer Nick Stevens reached out that the dream started taking shape.

Additionally, Hill detailed his presence during crucial instances to offer guidance – such as the reenactment of the news broadcast designed for John Cooper’s character. Moreover, he expressed numerous accolades for the acting displays.

Regarding Keith Allen’s portrayal of John Cooper, he remarked: “Keith truly embodied Cooper. He’s an intriguing actor to begin with, but the way he combines menace with a charming, grandfatherly demeanor is remarkable. I believe this role will be one of his most memorable performances.

The Pembrokeshire Murders is available to watch on Netflix. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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2024-12-03 18:34