Channel 4 has commissioned factual drama The Interrogation (working title), based on the true story of Tony Martin, a man who was convicted of shooting two burglars, who broke into his farmhouse in 1999.
The story became notorious at the time, due to the public outcry that his sentence of life imprisonment prompted, Martin having argued that he had used reasonable force to defend his property. One of the burglars, Fred Barras was 16 years old at the time of his death.
Martin later appealed against his original conviction and was successful, his sentence was reduced and he was released after three years.
“This is the missing part of an extraordinary story that captivated and divided the country," explained executive producer Peter Beard. "Finally we will hear exactly what Tony Martin told detectives in the confines of a police interview room just hours after he was arrested. For the first time it’s his own account in his words.”
Written and directed by BAFTA award winning David Nath (The Murder Detectives) and the drama will follow the events which took place during the three days of police questioning following his arrest.
Inside No 9 star and RTS award winner Steve Pemberton will portray Tony Martin with Daniel Mays (Line of Duty, Born to Kill) and Stuart Graham (The Fall, Thirteen, Hunger) supporting.
