Malice Aforethought (TV series)

Malice Aforethought is a British television drama based on the 1931 novel of the same name by Francis Iles (Anthony Berkeley Cox). The series has been adapted multiple times, most notably in 1979 and 2005.

The 1979 version was a four-part adaptation starring Hywel Bennett as Dr. Arthur Bickleigh, a doctor in a small English village who is disliked by many. The series follows Bickleigh's systematic poisoning of his wife, Julia, and his subsequent entanglement in further criminal activities, ultimately showing how he attempts to get away with murder. It is a psychological thriller exploring themes of obsession, control, and the dark side of human nature.

A two-part adaptation was broadcast in 2005, starring Ben Miller as Dr. Arthur Bickleigh. This version offered a more modernized take on the original story, but retained the core plot elements of the novel, including Bickleigh's unhappy marriage, his affair, and his cold-blooded murder of his wife. This adaptation aimed to explore the underlying motives and twisted logic behind Bickleigh's actions.

Both adaptations are notable for their exploration of the unreliable narrator, as the story is told from Bickleigh's perspective, which allows the audience insight into his thoughts and justifications for his actions, even as he commits heinous crimes. They are considered examples of classic British crime drama, focused on character study and suspense rather than graphic violence.