A Is For Acid (ITV1 2002, Martin Clunes, Keeley Hawes)

A Is For Acid is a 1940s set drama based on the true story of one of Britain’s most notorious murderous, John George Haigh (Martin Clunes), who charmed his victims before killing them and disposing of their bodies in baths of acid.

The 100 minute drama was made by Yorkshire and was broadcast on the ITV Network in 2002. Glenn Chandler, who created the series Taggart, wrote the script and Keeley Hawes played Haigh’s friend Gillian Rogers (based on the real life Barbara Stephens). Celia Imrie played Rose Henderson (whom Haig lodged with for a time) and Rowena Cooper was Mrs Durand-Deacon (another of Haig’s victims.)

Much of the location filming was in the South Cliff area of Scarborough and Saltaire, standing in for Kensington.

UK / ITV-1 – Yorkshire / 1×120 minute episode / Broadcast 9 September 2002 @ 9:00pm

Writer: Glenn Chandler / Producer: Alan Dossor / Executive Producer: David Reynolds / Director: Harry Bradbeer

cast
Martin Clunes as John George Haigh
Keeley Hawes as Gillian Rogers
Richard Hope as Archie Henderson
Celia Imrie as Rose Henderson
John Flanagan as Arnold Burlin
Rowena Cooper as Mrs Durand-Deacon
Matyelok Gibbs as Mrs Constance Lane
Barbara Marten as Emily Haigh
Geoff Holman as John Haigh Senior
Neil McKinven as Donald McSwan
Claire Nielson as Amy McSwan
Donald Douglas as William McSwan
Christopher Ettridge as Steven Rogers
Sally Carman as Betty
Duggie Brown as Morrison
Emma Cooke as Mrs Louisa Bird
Paula Stockbridge as Mrs Kirkwood
Amanda Haberland as Sergeant Lambourne
Terence Beesley as Detective Sergeant Heslin
Charles De’Ath as Sergeant Symes
Ken Drury as Mr Greig
Eamonn Riley as Mr Parry