C4 to dramatise Tony Martin case

UK public broadcaster Channel 4 (C4) has commissioned a factual drama about a farmer who shot dead a burglar in 1999.

Steve Pemberton

The Interrogation (1×60’, working title) was ordered by C4 commissioning editors Rob Coldstream and John Hay and will be produced by All3Media-backed UK prodco Story Films. David Nath is the writer and director for Story.

Kate Cook (The Watchman, Unspeakable) is attached as producer, with Jonathan Smith (24 Hours in Police Custody) and Peter Beard exec producing.

The Interrogation will dramatise the three days of police questioning that followed farmer Tony Martin’s arrest for shooting two burglars who broke into his farmhouse.

Inside No 9 star Steve Pemberton will play Martin, who was initially convicted of murder after one of the intruders, 16-year-old Fred Barras, died from his wounds. Martin’s conviction was subsequently downgraded to manslaughter. Daniel Mays (Line of Duty, Born to Kill) and Stuart Graham (The Fall, Thirteen, Hunger) are also among the cast.

“This is the missing part of an extraordinary story that captivated and divided the country,” said Beard. “Finally we will hear exactly what Tony Martin told detectives in the confines of a police interview room just hours after he was arrested. For the first time, it’s his own account in his words.”

The case has returned to public consciousness in recent weeks following a similar incident in which London pensioner Richard Osborn-Brooks killed burglar Henry Vincent. No charges have been brought against Osborn-Brooks.