While fans eagerly await Sarah Lancashire’s return to television in Black Doves, there’s another standout performance from the acclaimed actress that deserves a place on every crime drama fan’s watchlist.
Originally released by the BBC in 2010, Five Daughters has quietly earned a reputation as one of the most powerful true-crime dramas ever produced in Britain. The three-part series tells the heartbreaking real-life story of the 2006 Ipswich murders, focusing not only on the police investigation but, more importantly, on the lives of the five young women who were killed and the families they left behind.
Rather than presenting the case as a conventional crime thriller, Five Daughters takes a deeply personal approach. The drama follows the final weeks of victims Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Annette Nicholls, and Paula Clennell, exploring their struggles with addiction, poverty, and the circumstances that made them vulnerable. It also examines the emotional devastation experienced by their loved ones after the murders shocked the nation.
At the heart of the series is Sarah Lancashire’s unforgettable portrayal of Rosemary Nicholls, the mother of victim Annette Nicholls. Her emotionally charged performance has been widely praised as one of the finest of her career, bringing remarkable compassion and authenticity to a grieving mother trying to cope with unimaginable loss.
The impressive ensemble cast also includes Ian Hart, Juliet Aubrey, Kate Dickie, Jaime Winstone, Eva Birthistle, Aisling Loftus, Natalie Press, Holliday Grainger, Ruth Negga, Vicky McClure, Sean Harris, Anton Lesser, Martin Compston, David Bradley, and Christopher Fairbank.
The drama was written by Stephen Butchard, who conducted extensive research before filming. As part of the process, he met with victims’ families, police investigators, and staff from local rehabilitation organizations to ensure the series portrayed the events with care and sensitivity. The result is a thoughtful and emotionally powerful drama that shines a light on the wider social issues surrounding the case instead of focusing solely on the crimes themselves.
Eva Birthistle, who portrays Annette Nicholls, has previously spoken about meeting women who knew Annette personally during her research for the role. Those conversations helped her understand the humanity behind the headlines and reinforced the series’ message that the victims were ordinary people whose lives took tragic turns.
Although the subject matter is undeniably difficult, Five Daughters has been praised for its respectful storytelling, exceptional performances, and emotional depth. Many viewers continue to regard it as one of the BBC’s strongest true-crime dramas and one of Sarah Lancashire’s greatest performances.
All three episodes of Five Daughters are currently available to stream on Apple TV, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a gripping, thought-provoking British drama.
