Code of a Killer stars actor John Simm as a brilliant scientist who unlocks the key to DNA fingerprinting and helps catch murderer Colin Pitchfork.
But is the ITV drama a repeat? How many episodes is it and who stars in the cast?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Read more: Colin Pitchfork – portrayed in ITV drama Code of a Killer – is released from prison
Code of a Killer on ITV1 – is it a true story?
Code of a Killer is based on the story of Sir Alec Jeffreys’ discovery of DNA fingerprinting.
The series dramatises how DNA fingerprinting was first used by DCS David Baker to catch double murderer Colin Pitchfork.
The drama follows the brilliant scientist and pioneering detective as they join forces to create the most significant advance in modern criminal investigation.
In 1984, Dr Alec Jeffreys (John Simm) unlocked a remarkable technique to read every person’s unique DNA fingerprint.
Meanwhile, a few miles away, DCS David Baker (David Threlfall) led the search for the murderer of two schoolgirls Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in Leicestershire.
Together, the pair pursued the man who raped and murdered the two teenage girls and subsequently caught the killer – Colin Pitchfork.
Who’s in the cast?
David Threlfall, 67, stars as DCS David Baker, the dogged cop who eventually managed to catch Colin Pitchfork.
TV viewers will probably know David best from his role as Frank Gallagher in Shameless, a role he played from 2004 to 2013.
The Manchester-born actor also starred in What Remains, Ripper Street and Troy: Fall of a City.
John Simm plays Dr Alec Jeffreys, the geneticist who discovered DNA fingerprinting.
John, 51, is known for playing Danny Kavanagh in The Lakes, Cal McCaffrey in State of Play, DCI Sam Tyler in Life on Mars, The Master in Doctor Who, and Baxter in Mad Dogs.
He most recently took on the role of DSI Roy Grace in ITV1’s detective drama Grace.
Bloodlands star Lorcan Cranitch portrays DI Alan Madden, while Hustle’s Robert Glenister plays DCC Chapman.
Anna Madeley, seen recently in Deadwater Fell and All Creatures Great and Small, stars as Sue Jeffreys.
Marcella‘s Andrew Tiernan stars as DS Geoff Taylor, while Corrie’s Paul Copley appears as Sidney Jeffreys.
The impressive cast also includes Jessica Hargreaves, Lucy Carless, Ged Simmons, Hannah Walters and Lily Armitage.
Jaz Deol, Lydia Rose Bewley, Tobias Burton-Rudge, Jessica Woods and Darren Bancroft also star.
The Pact’s Rakie Ayola portrays Helena Adarkwa, Siobhan Redmond plays Joy Blakefield, and Nathan Wright plays killer Colin Pitchfork.
Is Code of a Killer a repeat? When did it first air?
Code of a Killer is indeed a repeat.
It first aired on ITV in 2015.
Episode one begins in 1983, in a village outside Leicester, when Lynda Mann is found raped and strangled to death.
A year on, after an exhaustive but fruitless search for the killer, DCS David Baker is forced to scale down the investigation.
In episode two, the world is introduced to the idea of forensic DNA…
At the time it was first shown, the Guardian said: “David Threlfall’s detective hunts a serial killer while John Simm’s DNA profiler wrestles with a corny script in this ‘based on real events’ drama.”
The Independent said: “The true story of DNA profiling grips despite a shaky script.”
The Radio Times wrote: “Still, even the clichés can’t completely disguise the incredible story at the heart of Code of a Killer.”
How many episodes is it?
Code of a Killer is two episodes.
The first episode airs on Monday October 11 2021 at 9pm on ITV1.
The second and last episode airs the week after on Monday October 18 2021 at 9pm on ITV1.
Each instalment is 80 minutes long, including ad breaks.
The first part of Code of a Killer airs on Monday October 11 2021 at 9pm on ITV1.
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