Appropriate Adult

Appropriate Adult
GenreCrime drama
Based onThe Fred West murders
Written byNeil McKay
Directed byJulian Jarrold
Starring
Theme music composerDan Jones
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes2
Production
Producers
Running time90 mins (w/out advertisements)
Original release
NetworkITV
Release4 September (2011-09-04) –
11 September 2011 (2011-09-11)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Appropriate Adult is a British crime drama television film shown in two parts on ITV, on 4 and 11 September 2011. It is based on the true story of Gloucester serial killer Fred West and his wife Rosemary West. It dealt with the events between the Wests' arrests in February 1994 and Fred's suicide in Birmingham's Winson Green Prison on New Year's Day 1995.[1] The series stars Dominic West, Monica Dolan and Emily Watson as the protagonists of the story, Fred and Rose West, and Janet Leach, respectively.

The series was named after the role of Janet Leach as an "appropriate adult" during the questioning of Fred West. The senior investigator wanted to ensure that there could be no suggestion that West did not understand any part of the process, so arrangements were made so that he had an "appropriate adult" present to ensure this at all times.

It was well received critically and received eight BAFTA television award nominations, with West and Watson winning the best actor and actress awards respectively, Dolan the best supporting actress award and co-producer Kwadjo Dajan the breakthrough talent award.

  1. ^ "Appropriate Adult". Amazon UK.