Ha. “Reece Shearsmith is powerfully creepy as Malcolm Webster, a real-life killer jailed for life in 2011 for the murder of his wife of just eight months.”
TV Times, 15th March 2014
“Sensitively acted, this story really is stranger than fiction… ”
Heat, 15th March 2014 – Jason Arnopp
“Grim, but compelling. ”
Closer, 15th March – Hannah Wright
“You can’t beat a good ITV drama and this chilling three-parter will have you glued to the screen.
The Times, Saturday Review, 15th March
“Reece Shearsmith is a revelation in his first straight role…”
Daily Mail Weekend, 15th March
“Shearsmith is convincingly creepy as Webster.”
The Observer, 16th March – Mike Bradley
“A well-acted, well crafted production that’s certainly worth a look.”
S Magazine, Sunday Express, 16th March – Simon Gage
“…it can’t help but fascinate.”
Daily Telegraph, 17th March – Michael Hogan
“Reece Shearsmith…gives a malevolently mannered performance as Webster…A darkly compelling case, creepily retold.”
The Times, T2, 17th March – David Chater
“Reece Shearsmith gives a superbly horrible performance as Webster, managing to make this dull little spendthrift seem both ordinary and creepy, while Sheridan Smith does a typically accomplished job of playing the wife who can’t figure out why she always feels so awful. It was – and this is meant as a compliment- a considerable relief when the episode ended.”
The Guardian G2, 17th March – Julia Raeside
“Shearsmith is so good at psychopathy, giving the character a truly sinister stillness, portraying him as a controlling, stone-cold automaton…If someone had made this up, it would be judged far-fetched and unlikely to have gone on so long (13 years). Absolutely stranger than fiction.”
The Sun, 17th March – Colin Robertson
“Reece Shearsmith is captivating as Malcolm Webster…Sheridan Smith also shines.”
Daily Mirror, 17th March – Jane Simon
“Reece Shearsmith…is horribly creepy as Webster.”
OK! Magazine, 18th March
“A chilling drama made all the more compelling by the fact that two of the women Webster attempted to murder were consultants for the production.”
The Times, T2, 18TH March – Alex Hardy
“Awards followed for the Mrs Biggs team I’d be surprised not to see the same here.”
Daily Mail, 18th March – Christopher Stevens
“…this blend of true crime and psychological drama promises to maintain its grip to the end.”
The Sun, 18th March – Colin Robertson
“Twelve hours after watching ITV’s superb psycho-drama The Widower and I’m still thinking about it. Everything about this bleak ‘real life’ drama based on the crimes of twisted wife killer Malcolm Webster smacked of brilliance.”
The Observer, New Review, 23rd March
“Reece Shearsmith continues to bring a steely creepiness to real-life killer Malcolm Webster…”
The Daily Telegraph, 24th March
“Grisly Stuff.”
Guardian, G2, 24th March – Jonathan Wright
“A series that carries real menace, thanks to Reece Shearsmith’s central performance.”
The Times, T2, 24th March – David Chater
“…Malcolm Webster, played with odious conviction by Reece Shearsmith…”
The Mail on Sunday, Event Magazine, 23rd March
“In an incredible true tale of a killer almost evading justice, Reece Shearsmith’s performance as Malcolm Webster is a captivating study in evil. ”
TV Times, 29th March
“This drama is compelling right until the end. *** ”
Heat, 29th March – Jason Arnopp
“This drama should lead to Reece Shearsmith being seen as versatile beyond his established comic credentials. He’s been a total knockout and made genuine killer Malcolm Webster seem horrifyingly real every step of the way. ”
Daily Telegraph Review, 29th March
“creepy, yet absorbing”
The Guardian Guide, 29th March
“Shearsmith finds new levels to his already compelling performance…”
The Sun, TV Magazine, 29th March
“Reece Shearsmith’s performance as Webster is one of the most remarkable you’ll see.”
The Daily Mirror, We Love TV, 29th March
“chilling drama”
Star Magazine, 31st March
“…Reece Shearsmth has been a revelation in a serious role as convicted killer Malcolm Webster. This week, the three-part drama comes to a thrilling finale. ”