Actor Freddie Fox looked unrecognisable as he transformed into family mass murderer Jeremy Bamber in first-look images from new drama White House Farm.
Freddie, 30, was the spitting image of Bamber, then 24, as he recreated the weeping killer’s breakdown at the funeral of his parents, sister and her twin sons in 1985.
In the haunting funeral scene, Freddie dressed in a black suit, clutches onto Alexa Davies who plays Bamber’s girlfriend Julie Mugford – the woman who would later testify he had told her of his plans to murder his family.
Haunting: Actor Freddie Fox looked unrecognisable as he transformed into family mass murderer Jeremy Bamber in first-look images from new drama White House Farm
Harrowing: Freddie, 30, was the spitting image of Bamber, then 24, as he recreated the weeping killer’s breakdown at the funeral of his parents, sister and her twin sons in 1985
Bamber was convicted of killing his adoptive parents, Nevill and June Bamber, his adoptive sister Sheila Caffell, and her six-year old twins, Daniel and Nicholas near their family home of Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex, in August 1985.
All five victims were shot dead and police had received a call from Bamber saying Caffell, had ‘gone berserk’ and had one of his guns.
Essex Police initially believed that Sheila, who had mental health problems, had murdered her own family before turning the gun on herself.
Suspicion turned to Jeremy when he appeared unemotional after the killings and appeared to be revelling in the attention of the media.
In the haunting funeral scene, Freddie dressed in a black suit, clutches onto Alexa Davies who plays Bamber’s girlfriend Julie Mugford – the woman who would later testify he had told her of his plans to murder his family
Funeral: Freddie and Alexa are the spitting image of the couple at the funeral
The prosecution’s case was that, motivated by the prospect of a huge inheritance, had shot his family with his father’s semi-automatic rifle and placed the weapon in his sister’s hands to implicate her.
Bamber was convicted in 1986 for the murders and has always denied committing the crime. For 34 years the case has transfixed Britain as Bamber, now 58, continues to fight to clear his name .
Clutching his face, sporting newly dyed brown hair and howling, Freddie, who is the son of Day of the Jackal star Edward Fox – was the double of Bamber as he led the funeral procession with Mark Stanley who plays Colin Cafell, the father of the murdered children.
Freddie is also seen in a tense courtroom scene as he watches evidence being given against him by brother in law Colin (Mark Stanley).
Tense: Mark is seen in character as Colin Caffell, the ex husband of Sheila Cafell and the father of murder victims Daniel and Nicholas, six
Courtroom: Freddie is also seen in a tense courtroom scene as he watches evidence being given against him by brother in law Colin (Mark Stanley)
Bamber is one of the few prisoners in the UK who is serving a whole life prison term. He has always denied committing the crime,
When he was convicted by majority verdict at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 28, 1986, he gave little reaction beyond slumping slightly in his seat.
Sentencing him to five life prison terms, judge Justice Drake said: ‘I find it difficult to foresee whether it will ever be safe to release someone who can shoot two little boys as they lie asleep in their beds.’
A country house which depicts the murder scene of White House Farm,. near the village of Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex, England, was also seen surrounded by police cars.
The six-part crime drama also stars Mark Addy as DS Stan Jones, Stephen Graham Gemma Whelan, Cressida Bonas (Doctor Thorne), Alfie Allen, Amanda Burton and Nicholas Farrell.
Six part drama: A country house which depicts the murder scene of White House Farm, near the village of Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex, England, was also seen surrounded by police cars
Unrecogisable: Sporting newly brunette hair, Freddie looked unrecognisable as he played the killer
Victims: Jeremy’s adoptive sister Sheila Caffell, 28, was found shot dead with her six-year-old twins sons Daniel and Nicholas. This is believed to be their final photo together
Victim: Essex Police initially believed that Sheila, who had mental health problems, had murdered her own family before turning the gun on herself but the prosecution disagreed
Tragedy: Jeremy’s adoptive parents, Nevill and June Bamber,both aged 61 at the time of their deaths, were also killed in the massacre during the night of 6–7 August 1985
The rifle used in the murders was found next to Sheila’s body did not have a silencer attached, but a silencer was found in the gun cupboard in the house which would form crucial evidence in the case against Bamber, who was charged with five murders.
Police initially believed Caffell, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, had shot and killed her family before she turned the weapon on herself.
Yet Bamber was accused of setting up Cafell and staging the killings so he could inherit a £436,000 family fortune.
His ex girlfriend Julie – who he split from one month after the murders – made statements saying Jeremy had told her he hired a hitman to kill his family before saying he had made clear his intentions to end the lives of his family to her on multiple occasions.
Prison: Between 2004-2012 Bamber has launched several unsuccessful appeals to prove his innocence (pictured 2013)
The silencer was a key part in helping to sway the case against Bamber, as it was argued that the extra length attached onto the rifle meant Caffell would not have been able to turn the gun on herself and then place it in the cupboard.
The jury was told there was blood on the silencer which came from Caffell and that there was red nail paint on a cupboard, indicating a struggle between herself and the attacker.
Bamber has claimed for many years that evidence was not disclosed to the defence by Essex police showing that two silencers had been examined by forensic scientists.
In September 2018 the CPS said: ‘We have received correspondence relating to this case and requested additional material in order to respond to the points raised.’
‘Jeremy Bamber’s conviction has been the subject of several appeals and reviews by the Criminal Cases Review Commission and there has never been anything to suggest that he was wrongly convicted.’