Rachel Nickell
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Deceit on C4: Drama revisits Rachel Nickell case and police honeytrap operation

Niamh Algar portrays female undercover officer 'Lizzie James'

Channel 4’s upcoming drama Deceit looks at the murder of Rachel Nickell and how the police sent an undercover officer to become sexual bait for their prime suspect.

The series, previously known by its working title of My Name is Lizzie, is a dramatisation of the real life murder of mum-of-one Rachel Nickell in 1992.

Female police officer ‘Lizzie James’, who went undercover to get crucial evidence, will be played by actress Niamh Algar.

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming C4 series Deceit.

Rachel Nickell
The cast of Deceit on C4 includes Niamh Algar and Eddie Marsan (Credit: Channel 4)

Read more: Rachel Nickell murder: When and how did she die and where is killer Robert Napper now?

Deceit on C4 – what happened to Rachel Nickell?

Deceit on Channel 4 dramatises the real life events that followed the tragic murder of 23-year-old Rachel Nickell.

Rachel was stabbed to death on July 15 1992 while walking with her two-year-old son on Wimbledon Common.

At the time of her death, she was living near Wimbledon Common with partner André Hanscombe and their son, Alexander Louis.

At the time, the police suspected Colin Stagg.

C4’s Deceit tells the story of the female undercover officer, codename ‘Lizzie James’, who was called on to “honeytrap” Colin.

She contacted Colin Stagg, posing as a friend of a woman with whom he used to be in contact via a Lonely Hearts’ column.

Over five months, she attempted to obtain information from him by feigning a romantic interest.

During a meeting in Hyde Park, they spoke about Rachel’s homicide and Colin’s violent fantasies.

However, Colin later claimed that he had only played along with the topic because he wanted to pursue the romance.

Police subsequently charged Colin Stagg with the murder and he spent 13 months in prison on remand.

Colin was eventually exonerated and awarded more than £700,000 in compensation for the bungled police operation.

In fact, Robert Napper was eventually found guilty of murdering Rachel Nickell.

The drama series will examine the controversial honeytrap at the heart of one of Britain’s most high-profile cases.

It provides access to previously unheard audio, video and written materials.

Rachel Nickell
Niamh Algar as Dinah in The Virtues (Credit: Channel 4)

Read more: Son of Rachel Nickell recalls witnessing her murder as a toddler

Who’s in the cast of Rachel Nickell drama Deceit?

Niamh Algar will portray the ambitious Met Police officer, codenamed ‘Lizzie James’.

Niamh’s best known for her gritty roles in The Virtues, Raised by Wolves and Calm with Horses.

Channel 4 recently announced that Eddie Marsan has also joined the cast.

TV viewers know Eddie from The Pact, Ridley Road, Ray Donovan and countless other roles.

Rochenda Sandall, best known as McQueen in Line of Duty, will also appear.

Penny Dreadful’s Harry Treadaway, Keeping Faith’s Sion Daniel Young and I Hate Suzie’s Nathaniel Martello-White have also joined Channel 4’s drama Deceit.

Harry Treadway plays Detective Inspector Keith Pedder, who is under much pressure to solve the case.

Eddie Marsan portrays the nation’s most famous criminal profiler, Paul Britton, who is called to help devise the bold and ill-conceived undercover operation.

Caroline Hollick, Head of Channel 4 Drama says: “I couldn’t think of a more phenomenally talented ensemble than Eddie, Harry, Sion, Nathaniel and Rochenda to join Niamh Algar, who is fast becoming an iconic star of the Channel, in order to shine a light on one of the most shocking stories in modern policing.”

How many episodes is Deceit on Channel 4?

Deceit is a four-part series.

Each episode will be one hour long.

When does Deceit start and how can I watch it?

Channel 4 has only recently released the names of some of the cast members.

They have not yet confirmed when the series will be airing.

But we’re expecting big things from this drama, and don’t want to wait too long!

The show will air on C4 and will be subsequently be available on All 4.

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Deceit will air on Channel 4 later this year or in 2022.

Would you tune in to watch Deceit on Channel 4? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.


Helen Fear
TV Editor

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