Olivia Colman Starring in New Sky & HBO Original

The new Sky and HBO original drama series Landscapers is set to star the Academy Award- and BAFTA-winning actress Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Crown).

Inspired by real events, Landscapers explores the story of convicted killers Susan (Colman) and Christopher Edwards and how the seemingly devoted and mild-mannered couple came to kill Susan’s parents and bury them in their back garden. With black comedy and a playful narrative, the true-crime drama is based on extensive research, hours of interviews and direct access to the accused who’ve always protested their innocence in regard to the crime that remained undiscovered for over a decade.

The four-part limited series will be directed by Academy Award winner Alexander Payne (The Descendants, About Schmidt, Sideways) and is written by Ed Sinclair in his first television screenplay. It is produced by Sister, the award-winning producers of Chernobyl, in association with South of the River Pictures, the new production company from Colman and Ed Sinclair, for Sky and HBO. Landscapers will start filming in 2020 and will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the U.K. and on Sky in Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland. International sales will be handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.

Colman said: “I love Ed’s scripts, which is just as well as he cooks many of my meals. No, the truth is it’s quite rare to be desperate to play a part on the first reading of a script, but that was the case here. The writing is brave, but subtle and tender too—a joy for any actor.”

Cameron Roach, director of drama at Sky Studios, said: “Ed’s scripts are a riveting and sensitive exploration of what could drive such an ordinary couple to commit murder and I’m delighted that Olivia Colman will bring Susan to life in what promises to be a compelling series. And after the success of the multi-award-winning Chernobyl, we’re pleased to be working with Sister on another original drama inspired by true events.”

Jane Featherstone, Sister co-founder, added: “The intelligence and deeply imaginative breadth of first-time screenwriter Ed Sinclair’s scripts sees a constant re-invention of the true-crime genre and it’s a testament to his writing that we have assembled a hugely experienced team of world-class creatives. Oscar-winning Olivia Colman is an extraordinary actor whose ability to disappear into a role is second to none and I’m thrilled to be reunited with her on this project. And with the incredible Alexander Payne at the helm, we are lucky to have a director whose skill for dark humor and character will ensure that Landscapers constantly surprises audiences.”