Alibi (ITV-1 2003, Michael Kitchen, Sophie Okonedo)

Alibi is a tense two part thriller laced written by Paul Abbott and broadcast on the ITV Network on the 25th and 26th August 2003.

Greg (Michael Kitchen) throws a surprise anniversary party to try to salvage a rocky marriage to his beloved Linda (Phyllis Logan). Marcey (Sophie Okonedo), moonlighting as a waitress at the party, is concerned for Greg when she suspects Linda of having an affair with his business partner, Martin. On her way home Marcey discovers she has forgotten her handbag and returns to the party house, now silent.

She stumbles upon Greg bending over the lifeless body of Martin. Greg painstakingly convinces her that this was a tragic accident and not the crime of passion she feared, since it becomes clear he had no knowledge of his wife’s infidelity.

Convinced that the police will never believe the truth, they make a rash decision to fake a car crash to dispose of the body. As the police investigation into the accident unfolds a determined Marcey struggles to keep Greg from going to pieces and implicating them both.

When Marcey discovers that Linda and Martin have been stealing money from the business and were planning a future together she is convinced that Greg knew about the affair and is guilty of killing Martin. But when she confronts Greg with her discoveries he is utterly devastated and her trust in him is restored.

The police might be satisfied that Martin’s death was an accident but Linda has a growing suspicion that Greg and Marcey were somehow involved.

production details
UK / ITV-1 – AKA Pictures / 2×90 minute episodes / Broadcast 25-26 August 2003

Writer: Paul Abbott / Executive Producers: Paul Abbott, Eileen Quinn / Producer: Judith Hackett / Director: David Richards

cast
MICHAEL KITCHEN as Greg
SOPHIE OKONEDO as Marcey
PHYLLIS LOGAN as Linda
HILARY MACLEAN as Steph
ADAM KOTZ as Danny
SADIE SHIMMIN as Wendy
TOM KNIGHT as Martin
JEROME WILLIS as Stan