Secret House Of Death, The (ITV 1996, Amanda Redman, Lucy Cohu)

In The Secret House of Death (broadcast under the Ruth Rendell Mysteries strand) divorcee Susan Townsend is getting over the recent departure of her cheating husband, her neighbour Louise, with problems of her own, is keen to talk to Susan about something but when Susan calls around to see her she is shocked to discover Louise and the man she was supposed to be having an affair dead. Susan’s husband, Bob, is devastated and Susan is more than a little pleased when he begins to rely on her for support but then she starts to have her suspicions about the true nature of Louise’s death.

All sinister secrets behind suburban closed doors, and with some pretty graphic and gruesome imagery that takes you a little by surprise unlike the twist which is quite easy to pick.

production details
UK / ITV Network – Meridian – Blue Heaven / 2×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 8 – 15 March 1996

Writer: John Harvey / Music: Brian Bennett / Title Music Performed by Ingrid Wu / Costumes: Rita Angell / Production Design: Christine Ruscoe / Executive Producers: Graham Benson, Colin Rogers / Producer: Neil Zeiger / Director: Jim Goddard

cast
AMANDA REDMAN as Susan Townsend
SARAK PARKS as Louise North
OWEN TEALE as Bob North
LUCY COHU as Magdelene Heller
SALLY KINGHORN as Rebecca
AMANDA ROYLE as Dawn
IAN THOMPSON as Det Insp Ulpin
NICOLA REDMOND as Det Sgt Mary Janes
ROBERT BURBAGE as Pathologist
JONATHAN LINSLEY as Carl Heller
ADAM WELCH as Paul Townsend
JULIAN FOX as Coroner
RICHARD JONES as Television News Reporter
VINNY DHILLON as Doctor
MARTIN HALL as Magician
PHILLIP MOLYNEAUX as Mr Buyer