The first full trailer has been released for The Sixth Commandment, a brand new four-part true crime drama coming to BBC One and iPlayer on Monday 17 July.

The Sixth Commandment tells the story of how the meeting of an inspirational teacher, Peter Farquhar (Timothy Spall), and a charismatic student, Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke), set the stage for one of the most complex and confounding criminal cases in recent memory. It also focuses on how suspicions around Field’s relationship with Ann Moore-Martin (Anne Reid), Peter’s deeply religious neighbour, unlocked a series of chilling revelations.

The Sixth Commandment explores the way in which both Peter and Ann were manipulated by Field, capturing the extreme gaslighting, the gripping police investigation and the high-profile trial, while poignantly highlighting the devastating effect of isolation and loneliness, as Field closed in on them. It also celebrates both Peter and Ann’s lives as cherished mentors, much loved relatives and adored friends.

Written by Sarah Phelps (A Very British Scandal, The Pale Horse), and directed by Saul Dibb (The Salisbury Poisonings, NW), The Sixth Commandment is produced by Wild Mercury Productions (a Banijay UK Company) and True Vision Productions. The distinguished cast includes Timothy Spall (Mr Turner, Spencer), Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax, Sanditon, Dinnerladies), Éanna Hardwicke (Lakelands, Normal People), Annabel Scholey (The Split, The Salisbury Poisonings), Sheila Hancock (Unforgotten, A Discovery of Witches, Great Canal Journeys), Ben Bailey Smith (The Split, Andor), Conor MacNeill (Industry), Adrian Rawlins (Baptiste, Chernobyl) and Amanda Root (Summerland, Unforgotten).

The Sixth Commandment is a Wild Mercury and True Vision production for the BBC, and is produced by Frances du Pille (The Outlaws, The Watch). It is executive produced by Sarah Phelps, Saul Dibb and Derek Wax for Wild Mercury Productions, Brian Woods for True Vision Productions and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The Sixth Commandment is being distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

The Sixth Commandment has been made in full cooperation with members of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin’s families. Episode one is coming to BBC One on Monday 17 July with episode two airing the next day. Episodes three and four will air the following Monday and Tuesday, with all episodes available on iPlayer.