Dishevelled Eddie Marsan looks unrecognisable as Canoe Man John Darwin as true crime drama starts filming

Eddie Marsan has got to work on new TV series The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe – playing the notorious ‘canoe man’ John Darwin. 

Pictured on set in Hartlepool, Eddie looked dishevelled with a beard and oversized coat as he filmed the scenes, with a rucksack flung over his shoulder.

The character was a far cry from the real John Darwin, who was always pictured as clean-shaven and well kept after spending all his money.

Filming at Seaton Carew, where Darwin’s ‘kayak accident’ took place, the character’s wife Anne – played by Pride and W1A star, Monica Dolan – was also seen on set talking in a phone booth.

Darwin, a former teacher and prison officer, made headlines in 2007 when he turned up alive, five years after being declared dead from a canoeing accident. 

The new ITV series will see the Ray Donovan star lead the cast as the deceptive crook, who had faked his death in order to cash in on a life insurance policy. 

Anne was complicit with the crime, playing along as the grieving widow – even to their two sons, Mark and Anthony.

Speaking of the new series at the announcement, Marsan said: ‘I’m so thrilled to be working with Chris Lang, one of our greatest writers and to get the chance to work with Monica Dolan.

‘The story of how and why John Darwin faked his own death to defraud insurance companies is fascinating, and if it weren’t fact, you’d think it unbelievable.

‘I can’t pretend to understand what was going on in his head when he made those choices, but I’m going to do my absolute best to portray him, and I can’t wait to get started.’ 

The series will cover the deception as well as the uncovering of the crime, with Anne being caught by a journalist setting up a new life for herself in Panama with her husband. 

The cast also includes  Mark Stanley (White House Farm) and Karl Pilkington (Sick of It, Derek). 

The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe is yet to be given an air date by ITV. 

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