Olivia Colman and David Thewlis Star in a Disturbing Four-Part HBO True Crime Thriller That Deserves Far More Attention

Olivia Colman and David Thewlis deliver two extraordinary performances in Landscapers, an overlooked four-part HBO crime drama that transforms a disturbing real-life murder case into something unlike almost anything else on television.

Rather than following the familiar formula of police investigations and courtroom revelations, the British miniseries blends psychological drama, dark comedy and surreal storytelling to explore the unsettling relationship between a married couple hiding a terrible secret.

With just four episodes, Landscapers is an absorbing weekend binge that challenges expectations of the true crime genre.

Landscapers Tells the Disturbing True Story of Susan and Christopher Edwards

The series follows Susan and Christopher Edwards, played by Colman and Thewlis, whose seemingly ordinary marriage conceals a horrifying crime.

In 1998, Susan’s parents, William and Patricia Wycherly, were murdered at their Nottinghamshire home and buried in the garden.

The Edwards subsequently concealed the deaths for years, continuing to benefit financially from the victims’ assets.

Their deception eventually began unraveling after authorities sought contact with William Wycherly.

By then, the couple had moved to France, where they continued living an increasingly precarious existence.

One particularly unusual aspect of the case involved their obsession with classic Hollywood memorabilia, especially items connected to actor Gary Cooper.

The couple spent substantial sums building their collection, even while struggling financially.

Susan also fabricated correspondence supposedly written by French actor Gérard Depardieu, leading Christopher to believe he had developed a friendship with the celebrity.

These extraordinary details become central to the series’ distinctive portrayal of the couple.

Olivia Colman’s Performance Makes This True Crime Drama Different

What separates Landscapers from conventional crime dramas is its refusal to present events through a straightforward narrative.

Much of the story unfolds through Susan’s distorted understanding of reality, with memories, fantasies and imagined scenarios frequently blending together.

At certain moments, Christopher appears as an ordinary husband. At others, Susan imagines him as a romantic Hollywood leading man.

Everyday surroundings transform into elaborate cinematic landscapes, while police interrogations shift into theatrical reconstructions.

These unconventional sequences reveal how Susan uses fantasy to escape uncomfortable truths about her marriage and her past.

Colman brings remarkable vulnerability to the character, portraying a woman whose emotional fragility exists alongside the disturbing reality of her actions.

Thewlis provides an equally compelling performance as Christopher, whose devotion to his wife becomes increasingly difficult to separate from their shared deception.

A Four-Episode Crime Thriller That Breaks the Rules

Unlike many true crime adaptations, Landscapers does not rely entirely on suspense surrounding the perpetrators’ identities.

Instead, its tension comes from examining how the Edwards constructed an alternative reality around themselves and maintained their deception for years.

The series also raises uncomfortable questions about how criminal stories are presented, particularly when the perspectives of perpetrators dominate the narrative.

Although its unconventional approach may not appeal to everyone, the combination of surreal visuals, emotional performances and unsettling subject matter makes it a distinctive viewing experience.

For anyone searching for a short but unforgettable British crime drama, Landscapers offers four episodes of psychological tension, tragic absurdity and exceptional acting.

It’s one of Olivia Colman’s most unusual television performances and a true crime miniseries that deserves a much wider audience.