Benedict Cumberbatch boards true-crime drama The Annecy Murders as executive producer

The Annecy Murders, a new true crime drama series inspired by the infamous Chaveline killing of 2012, has just collaborated with popular actor Benedict Cumberbatch to executive produce the 6-part limited drama. The Annecy Murders explores the unsolved case of the murder of a British-Iraqi family and a French cyclist near Lake Annecy in southeastern France. The investigation spanned multiple countries and involved numerous agencies, yet the case remains unresolved. The series aims to explore the complexities and international intrigue surrounding this haunting mystery.

SunnyMarch, Cumberbatch's production company, is collaborating with French production company Carrousel and Landscape, led by Bob Cooper, to bring this story to the screen. Read on to get into the details of this collaboration involving The Annecy Murders.

Benedict Cumberbatch boards The Annecy Murders as an Executive producer: What do we know about the show

Filming of The Annecy Murders is scheduled to begin in early 2026 in France and the UK. However, the details about the cast and any specific plot points are still not known. But it is indeed about the murders of the 3 British tourists — an Iraqi engineer around 50 years of age, his wife Iqbal (around 47), and his mother, who was around 74 at the time of the murder. In 2022, Murder in the Alps was another series that debuted, shedding light on the same incident.

The executive producers have emphasised their commitment towards delivering a strong and authentic narrative, especially following the recent reopening of the case by French authorities.

“When we first came across this story, we immediately saw its incredible potential,” said Cooper, “It’s a haunting case that has everything — a compelling mystery, international intrigue, and profound human drama. It demanded to be told.”

Benedict's involvement in The Annecy Murders underscores his continued interest in bringing real-life mysteries to a wider audience. While Cécile Gaget emphasised the reopening of the case, and how it could bring more nuance to the story, according to a report by Hollywood Reporter.

“This was a no-brainer for Carrousel. With the recent reopening of the case, the international resonance, and the unique cultural perspectives on the investigation, we are committed to delivering a powerful and authentic narrative. Carrousel’s role in financing and physically producing the series in France underscores our dedication to innovative storytelling.”

Trending

Cumberbatch is best known for playing Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock (2010–2017). This modern take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories made Cumberbatch a global star. This also suggests his deep interest in complex character-driven stories. His interest in criminal and psychological thrillers is evident, keeping in mind his acting role and the shows he has produced. It seems it's only intensifying with him joining the other production houses for this true crime chilling drama—The Annecy Murders.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback