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A few years ago a dentist from Coleraine, here in Northern Ireland, Colin Howell, together with the woman with whom he was having an affair, was convicted of the murder of their respective spouses almost 20 years earlier. After their conviction a book about the case appeared and now this television dramatization, "The Secret". The problem I have with it is that no matter how well done it is, and it is superbly made, people immediately connected with the killers, (their children, their new partners, family etc), are still alive and dragging up these events only a few years after they happened is bound to cause considerable pain to the survivors, so much so that the matter of this series was even raised in the British Parliament.

That said, who doesn't like a juicy murder, especially when sex is involved, particularly when it happened only a few miles from where you live and "The Secret" was the juiciest of murder yarns, excellently written, directed and performed. Until now I've never quite understood the attraction of James Nesbitt, a Northern Ireland actor who has never shaken off his thick Ballymena accent and no always seemed the same no matter what part he was playing but I have to admit he was superb as Howell. This was a career-best performance that just might win him a BAFTA, a complex, multi-layered piece of acting that will surely divide viewers as to whether Howell was the personification of evil or just dangerously disturbed.

As Hazel Buchanan, his partner in crime, Dublin born Genevieve O'Reilly was almost as good, again creating a character with several layers to her personality. More credit, then, to both players since little is known of either Howell or Buchanan before the events portrayed. Yes, "The Secret" may well be controversial and I can fully understand the objections raised against it but it certainly wasn't prurient; rather this was a riveting piece of television and one of the best 'true crime' dramas of recent years.

Such a good series! A true story series. Insane! I almost flew out the couch during the episode of the killings. Bit my nails off. Good acting by awesome cast.

I'm just past halfway, and I'm actually surprised by the amazing reviews for this show. I watch a lot of UK tv shows, especially crime shows, and I read that this was one of the best but I don't agree.

The acting is really well done! The main actor does a great job at creeping me out in this character...which is one thing I don't understand. I would have wanted to see what made Hazel fall for him? It doesn't look like there's anything great about him and he doesn't even treat her that well. I wanted to see her fall madly deeply in love but I don't see it? Instead he comes on super strong and she goes along with it and doesn't say much.

Im enjoying it and will watch til the end, but so far I'd give it a 5/10.

This is James Nesbit's best that I have seen. The Missing was also very good but this has a faster pace and more suspense. It's highly original, perhaps reflecting a true or near true story. And its also very hard to review without spoilers, so obviously the plot is key. If you love dark tales from the British Isles then this is for you.

I am very impressed with the way this was acted and how they didn't string it out through too many episodes. I can't say enough about the superb acting. I was so immersed in it. I have Netflix and Starz and a few other apps where I can watch all sorts of shows/movies but nothing has come close to this engrossing series. Bravo Northern Ireland!

Very good and we'll recommend. Paced well with some great preferences from the main cast, Nesbitt is particularly good in this.

The serie "The Secret" looks more like an episode of 20/20 or Dateline, it depicts how religious fanatics perform absurd acts in the name of God. Based on true events, "The Secret" follows the adulterous lives of an honorable dentist and a schoolteacher in a remote Irish town. The couple finds justification in the Bible for any acts or even repulsive ones to stay together as lovers. The series is well developed, with a good direction but it doesn't add much content, just follows the media on many recent cases of infidelity, betrayal, and tragic events similar to the series.

Top notch stuff but who are the idiot reviewers that think Northern Ireland is in England?

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

A true story set in the early 90s, in the small Irish town of Coleraine, a devoutly religious community where the church elders sway a lot of influence in the lives of the parishioners. Colin Howell (James Nesbitt) works as a dentist, and has an idyllic family life with his wife and children. But he becomes infatuated with Hazel (Genevieve O' Reilly), the wife of the local policeman, and the two begin a passionate affair. After they're exposed, they drift apart for a while, only for them to rekindle it again. It's after this that Colin suggests a murderous way that they can be together, that marks the beginning of a twenty year quest towards justice and closure.

Given the comparatively small number of murders that the UK witnesses (at least, in times gone past), there's always that great potential for drama in exploring the motivations behind the killings, especially in portrayals of serial killers. But this particular story tells the tale of a single double murder committed by two people. But the tale itself is such a wayward, unusual one, involving a pair of non perverted, normal people with probably no trouble with the law in the past, who chose such a strange, cold blooded way to deal with their forbidden love.

In a drama that spans out between two parts and two decades, Nesbitt has to carry the title role. In TV dramas such as this, he has sort of become the 'go to guy' for this kind of thing, but if he's the reliable bloke for producers to fall back on, then he's definitely honed his craft over the years, and delivers a stirring lead performance here.It's a convincing portrayal of a complete novice, who transforms into a cold, calculating killer with little or no disdain. It's hard to tell whether he's using his religious convictions to justify his horrific deeds, or whether it's all just a front to cover his sick, assured presence, and as such it's great. Likewise, O'Reilly also shines as a cold, icy accomplice, happy to continue her life in spite of her actions.

An impressive, well made dramatisation of cold blooded ruthlessness. ****

This is up there with the best dramas I've seen.i don't usually write reviews but I thought this deserved one.the acting was first class and obviously based on a true story made it even more intriguing.... You will definitely enjoy this if watched.

Great acting, great serie!! Phsicollogy is really great and also the location,fotography and actors are really good. Amazing what faith can do by some ..people. crazy!!

I went into this movie with no knowledge of the actual crime or even that this was based on one. I never believe the old "based on a true story" line so just assumed this, like most, was loosely based on something that happened in England but was not actually a faithful reproduction. It's only today when I was doing some research on it that I discovered all the drama created by the victim's daughter but. I don't really understand the controversy. If the victims families don't want to be traumatised by a TV dramatisation of these tragic events then....why watch it? Seems simple to me. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to watch if someone made a movie about deaths of people close to me. Maybe I"m missing something but honestly, the daughter who is voicing all these complaints should have just not watched the show. What is the point of kicking up a huge song and dance about it? Anyway, moving on to the actual critique. Personally like many others, I absolutely loved the series and it is well worth watching. I don't often like dramatisations of true crimes because they are usually stilted, stiff & boring with bad production values, B grade actors and lousy script writing. The Secret is nothing like the "usual" type. It's exceptionally good quality, well written, beautifully produced and all of the actors do a wonderful job. Nesbitt's performance in particular is absolutely chilling in his portrayal of the "ordinary" outside of this very sinister & disturbed individual. In all the story is told with class & compassion. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The first time I watched this I was pretty disappointed and found it to be average enough but on watching it a 2nd time I was drawn back into the murders that were committed in my local area.

The church tried to keep this silent for quite a while and the "respectability of Howell" and his upright standing in the Baptist church was based on the fear that the church would look bad under the circumstances.

Hazel Stewart certainly was not manipulated and was a willing accomplish with Howell.

The series itself was pretty true to the facts and Nesbitt played the part pretty well.

The second time I watched it I was captivated and shocked at the coldness and depravity of the way that the 2 murders calmly went about their daily lives inside and outside of the church.

Fantastic performances from James Nesbitt.and Genevieve O Reilly.in this true story film.. it was such a great programme that we watched all four parts in one go. Strongly recommend you watch it.

Great acting! I am not usually into dramas I prefer documentaries however this was so true to life I had to binge. I did not want it to end as it was so captivating compared to other boring dramas.