“An unimaginable tragedy”: The “heartbreaking” details of Killing Eve writer’s Netflix crime drama The Witness

Every so often, a TV series comes along that tells a truly heartbreaking story and the latest one to land on our radar is Netflix’s The Witness. The extraordinary true crime drama comes from Killing Eve writer, Rob Williams, and delves into an unimaginable tragedy – the murder of a mother that was witnessed only by her toddler son. Needless to say, it’s a series that will both move and astound you in equal measure.

The series will delve into how, on a summer’s morning in 1992, two-year-old Alex Hanscombe witnessed his mother’s brutal murder on Wimbledon Common. Following the investigation into Rachel Nickell’s murder from the point of view of Alex and his father André, it will explore the devastating impact of the tragedy and the unexpected ways it changed both Alex and André’s lives.

Sarah Brown, Creative Director of Drama at production studio, STV, has described the series as “true crime but through a very different lens”. She says: “It’s a story of trauma but also one of survival and healing and it’s a privilege to be working with Alex and André to help bring their moving journey to the screen. We’re also thrilled to be collaborating once again with Rob Williams whose humanity and sensitivity as a screenwriter make him the perfect person to tell this story.”

Ahead of the The Witness’s arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.

What is The Witness about?

The true crime series tells the story of the 1992 murder of Rachel Nickell, which was witnessed by her son Alex Hanscombe on Wimbledon Common. It's based on the 2017 memoir, Letting Go: A true story of murder, loss and survival, and experiences of Alex and his father André Hanscombe. Heartbreakingly, Alex was just three weeks from his third birthday when his mother was murdered. He was the only witness.

Over the course of three 60-minute episodes, the series will take us on their journey from 1992 through to the early 2000s as they deal with the devastating impact of Rachel’s brutal murder on their lives. Alex’s father André became a single parent overnight and put his own grief to one side and made Alex the centre of his world.

According to Netflix’s official synopsis for the series, “Navigating the unscrupulous media furore and the urgency of an increasingly desperate police investigation, his sole concern became the welfare of his tiny, traumatised son. Who also happened to be the only eyewitness to the attack. This is the story of how a father and son made it through the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy, through darkness and into light.”

The series is created, written and produced by Rob Williams, whose credits include Killing Eve and The Man in the High Castle, while Alex Winckler (Mary & George, My Mad Fat Diary) is directing. Kerry Godliman (see below in After Life) will star in the series as André's mother.

Alex and André Hanscombe are serving as consultants for the show and have shared how grateful they are to be a part of it. “We can’t thank STV Studios and Netflix enough for helping share our story and it’s a blessing to be working with them and to Rob, John and Sarah,” they commented.

“We are much indebted to the whole team. Our journey has all been by the grace of God and a promise to go on together. We hope that audiences will be left with a testament to the tough battle of life we all face and to the power of faith, hope, love – and never giving up.”

Mona Qureshi, Netflix’s Director of UK Content, also shared why it’s an honour to be able to bring their story to the screen. "This was an event that shocked the whole nation – and while many people remember Rachel’s tragic death, what happened next deserves to be shared with an audience,” she says.

“Alex and André ‘s story is an extraordinary testament to the tenacious and redeeming love between a parent and a child and we are honoured that Netflix will be able to share this tale of strength and resilience with the world.”

Who’s starring in The Witness?

The cast of The Witness includes:

• Jordan Bolger (This Town, The Woman King) as André Hanscombe
• Kerry Godliman (After Life, Trigger Point) as June
• Max Fincham (The Tower, Invasion) as teen Alex Hanscombe
• Stephen Connery-Brown (The Lake Erie Murders) as Sir John Nutting QC
• Roger Alborough (Black Mirror) as Justice Griffith Williams
• Neil Maskell (Hijack, Bull) as DI Keith Pedder
• Kevin Eldon (Rings of Power, Napoleon) plays DCI Mick Wickerson
• Mark Stanley (Happy Valley, The Reckoning) plays DS Ivan Agnew
• Jon Pointing (Big Boys, Sweetpea) as DC Nick Sparshatt
• James Dryden (Time Bandits, Deadpool & Wolverine) plays DC Paul Miller
• James Bradshaw (Endeavour, Four Lives) as DCI Tony Nash
• Claire Rushbrook (Rivals, A Very Royal Scandal) as Dr. Jean Harris-Hendriks

How can I watch The Witness?

Netflix hasn’t yet share a release date for The Witness, but we're expecting it to air at some point in 2025. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we’ll share it here. In the meantime, you can check out our pick of the dramas to watch now here.