The Sixth Commandment, the new BBC drama featuring Harry Potter star Timothy Spall, has released its first-look images.

The four-part drama sees Spall assume the role of "inspirational teacher" Peter Farquhar, and the series is based on a true story.

The synopsis for the series, which is being penned by A Very British Scandal screenwriter Sarah Phelps, reads: "The Sixth Commandment tells the story of how the meeting of an inspirational teacher, Peter Farquhar, and a charismatic student, Ben Field (Éanna Hardwicke), set the stage for one of the most complex and confounding criminal cases in recent memory.

What to Read Next

timothy spall as peter farquhar in the sixth commandment
BBC

Related: Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe confirms birth of first child with partner Erin Darke

"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. [It] 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."

The series also "poignantly highlights 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."

Starring alongside Spall, Hardwicke and Reid are Annabel Scholey, Sheila Hancock, Ben Bailey Smith and Adrian Rawlins, with directing duties being handled by Saul Dibb. The four-part series doesn't currently have a release date.

timothy spall as peter farquhar and sheila hancock as liz zettl in the sixth commandment
BBC

Related: Daniel Radcliffe's Miracle Workers unveils first look at season 4

Spall, who has also starred in Mr Turner and The King's Speech, played Peter Pettigrew in five Harry Potter films. Despite the critical and commercial success of the franchise, lead star Rupert Grint revealed that the fame that came with playing Ron Weasley could be "suffocating" at times.

"In the movies, we merged into one. By the end of it, I was playing myself. The lines were blurred," he said. "Potter was so full on – [filming] all year, then we'd promote the rest of the time. It was quite suffocating. I wanted a break, to reflect on everything."

The Sixth Commandment currently has no release date.

Best Entertainment and Tech Deals
Shop Sky deals across TV, broadband and mobile
Shop Sky deals across TV, broadband and mobile
Credit: Sky
Shop Google Pixel 7a phones
Shop Google Pixel 7a phones
Credit: Google
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
Credit: Joanie Clothing
LEGO Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House
LEGO Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House
Credit: LEGO
LEGO 007 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond
LEGO 007 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond
Credit: LEGO
Sign up for Apple TV+
Sign up for Apple TV+
Credit: Apple TV+
Heartstopper Volume 5
Heartstopper Volume 5
Credit: Hodder Children's Books
Barbie The Movie doll
Barbie The Movie doll
Credit: Barbie
Sign up for Disney+
Sign up for Disney+
Credit: Disney+/Lucasfilm
Ted Lasso x Nike: AFC Richmond home kit
Ted Lasso x Nike: AFC Richmond home kit
Credit: Nike
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Credit: Gallery UK/Simon & Schuster
Jojo: Finally Home by Johannes Radebe
Jojo: Finally Home by Johannes Radebe
Credit: Hodder & Stoughton
The Witcher wolf pendant
The Witcher wolf pendant
Credit: Amazon
Barbenheimer - Barbie v Oppenheimer T-shirt
Barbenheimer - Barbie v Oppenheimer T-shirt
Credit: Printerval
Barbenheimer T-shirt
Barbenheimer T-shirt
Credit: Etsy
Best PS5 deals - where to buy PS5 today?
Best PS5 deals - where to buy PS5 today?
Credit: PlayStation
Anker PowerCore Essential 20,000 PD Power Bank
Anker PowerCore Essential 20,000 PD Power Bank
Credit: Anker
Lettermark

Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media.  His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.