Appropriate Adult (ITV 2011, Emily Watson, Dominic West

Acclaimed two-part drama Appropriate Adult is based on the true story of Fred and Rosemary West. Dominic West, Emily Watson and Monica Dolan all won BAFTA TV Awards for their performances.

When Fred West (West) is detained in custody, Gloucester housewife Janet Leach (Watson) is asked to act as his appropriate adult, sitting in on police interviews with West and ensuring that his interests are safeguarded.

Almost immediately, West makes a shocking confession of murder, drawing Janet into the investigation. He begins to tell her about his other victims, but she cannot pass the information on because of her obligation of confidentiality. Meanwhile, West her obligation of confidentiality.

Meanwhile West refuses to divulge the full truth about his crimes to to the police and continues to deny that his wife Rosemary (Dolan) was involved in them.

Finally, Janet feels forced to give West an ultimatum – she will leave the case unless he co-operates. Her stand leads to a breakthrough, and the sheer scale of West’s crimes starts to become clear as the police continue to search for missing victims. Eventually, charges are brought against both Fred and Rosemary, and he is sent to prison to await trial. As Janet tries to persuade Fred to break with Rosemary and tell the whole truth, she gradually becomes more closely involved with him – a development which has shattering consequences for her at Rosemary’s trial.

production details
UK | ITV Network | 2×90 minutes | Broadcast 4-11 September 2011

cast
Dominic West as Fred West
Emily Watson as Janet Leach
Monica Dolan as Rose West
Robert Glenister as Detective Superintendent John Bennett
Anthony Flanagan as Mike
Samuel Roukin as Detective Constabe Darren Law
Gerard Horan as Howard Ogden
Seline Hizli as Mae West
James McArdle as Stephen West
Sylvestra Le Touzel as Detective Constable Hazel Savage
Rupert Simonian as Josh
William Atkinson as Garden Cop