ITV viewers have been left scratching their heads over the latest drama series The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, with many believing the show misses the mark with the cast's accents.
The drama is the retelling of true story John Darwin's infamous fake death in 2002, and how his wife helped him cover it up for years before they were found out. However, the cast's Hartlepool accents have stolen the show with many viewers slating the drama for 'insulting' them with associations to the Geordie twang.
The four part drama began on ITV on Sunday 17th April and features actor Eddie Marsan alongside on-screen wife Monica Dolan as they play out the story of John Darwin and his wife Anne. In the early 2000s the pair are in desperate financial times, and resort to a preposterous plan to fake John’s death so that they can claim life insurance money.
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Their plan succeeded and they got away with it...for a few years at least. However, various slip-ups resulted in them being found out, with their story circulating around the world. In 2008 they were arrested and went to court, with John sentenced to six years and three months in prison and Anne receiving six months six years.
Viewers of the show took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the 'Hartlepool' accent. One viewer wrote: "The thief, his wife and a canoe, so, why is it that ITV think people from Teesside speak with a Geordie accent. This happened in Hartlepool and we DO NOT have that accent!!!! Insulting!!!!"
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Another shared: "The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. I remember this happening like it was yesterday, yet I don’t remember Hartlepool folk having Geordie accents."
One fan incredulously shared: "''The Thief, His Wife & The Canoe'' a story researched and filmed... AND THEY DID NO RESEARCH ON THE ACCENT. I saw the trailer I wont be able to watch the programme. We do NOT have a Geordie accent in Hartlepool".
"Watching The Thief, His Wife & The Canoe and I’m yet to hear a single Hartlepool accent…...," wrote another..
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Although for some fans, the accents didn't detract from the show. One viewer wrote: "The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. I’m enjoying it. Playing spot the location is always popular here (even though the TV house is not in Seaton Carew!) The accent is 30 or so miles to the north out! However, Marsan and Dolan are fascinating to watch."
Not all viewers wanted to criticise the show though. Some fans lauded the true life drama as 'gripping' and 'brilliantly dark and superb'.
Tyla has reached out to ITV for comment.
The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe continues on ITV on Monday 18th April at 9pm.
Topics: ITV, TV And Film
Niamh Spence