Code of a Killer (ITV Crime, John Simm, David Threllfall)

Code of a Killer is based on the extraordinary true story of Alec Jeffreys’ (John Simm) discovery ofDNA fingerprinting and its first use by Detective Chief Superintendent David Baker (David Threllfall) in catching a double murderer.

The drama focuses on how Jeffreys’ science and Baker’s investigative vision created the single biggest leap in the history of criminal investigation.

David Threlfall takes the role of David Baker who between 1983 and 1987 headed up the investigation into the brutal murders of two Leicestershire schoolgirls, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.

Only a few miles away, Dr Alec Jeffreys, played by John Simm, was a scientist at Leicester University who, on 10 September 1984, invented a remarkable technique to read each individual’s unique DNA fingerprint.

When a local teenager admitted to one of the murders but not the other, Baker asked Jeffreys to analyse the DNA evidence left at the crime scenes.

Both men were shocked to discover that the teenager was innocent, his confession false. DCS Baker then took the extraordinarily brave step to launch the world’s first ever DNA manhunt, testing over five thousand local men to track down the killer.

Code of a Killer was made with the full knowledge and input of retired Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys and former Detective Chief Superintendent David
Baker.

Cast: David Threllfall as DCI David Baker; John Simm as Alec Jeffreys; Lorcan Cranitch as DI Alan Madden; Robert Glenister as DCC Chapman; Anna Madeley as Sue Jeffreys; Siobhan Redmond as Joy Blakefield; Jaz Deol as DC Taran Kholi; Andrew Tiernan as DS Geoff Taylor; Hannah Walters as Kath Eastwood; Ged Simmons as Eddie Eastwood; Jessica Hargreaves as Lynda Mann; Lucy Carless as Susan Mann; Dorothy Atkinson as Barbara Ashworth; Neil Edmond as Robin Ashworth

Writer: Michael Crompton / Script Editor: Gwen Gorst / Costumes: Ray Holman / Production Design: Anna Pritchard / Executive Producers: Simon Heath, Priscilla Parish / Producer: Priscilla Parish / Director: James Strong

UK / ITV / x90 minute episodes / Broadcast Monday 6 April – Monday 13 April 2015 at 9.00pm