ITV drama The Secret has just landed on Netflix, and as many viewers are watching the drama for the first time, some are realising that it's actually based on a true story.
The four-part series, which aired on ITV back in 2016, stars James Nesbitt and is based on the devastating double murder of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan more than 30 years ago.
You can watch the trailer below:
The tragic deaths of Lesley and Trevor took place in Castlerock, Derry, in Northern Ireland back in 1991. Their murders were plotted and carried out by Colin Howell (Nesbitt) and Hazel Buchanan (Genevieve O'Reilly) – the spouses of the victims – and were made to look like a suicide pact.
Hazel and Colin had started an affair just a year prior to the murders, which took place in May 1991. Soon after the affair was revealed, the twisted plan was executed.
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At the devastating scene, Lesley (played by Laura Pyper) was found holding photos of her four children, along with Trevor (Glen Wallace), in a car filled with exhaust fumes. It's reported that Colin had murdered Lesley with a garden hose connected to a car's exhaust pipe while she was sleeping.
Meanwhile, Trevor had been drugged with a spiked sandwich by Hazel, before Colin killed him using the same hose.
The pair were then positioned in the vehicle, where the deaths were made to appear like a suicide.
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In a shocking twist, their murders went undetected for almost two decades before Colin confessed.
His eldest son, Matthew, had died in an accident at the age of 22, and Colin had lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in a scam. It's believed Colin thought God was punishing him, which led to his confession many years later.
While Colin was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years, Hazel was sentenced to 18 years.
The pair are still in prison to this day, with Colin residing in Maghaberry Prison, and Hazel in Hydebank Prison in Belfast.
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Viewers have been shocked that the series is based on real-life events, with one person writing on Twitter: "Omg is this The Secret on Netflix? I was shook. True story as well."
Another said: "Watching The Secret on Netflix. A true story which makes it more shocking."
You can watch The Secret on Netflix now.
Topics: TV And Film, Netflix, ITV
Lucy Devine