Life and Art from FT Weekend How ‘The Body Next Door’ gets true crime storytelling right
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Aug 26, 2024 
Gareth Johnson, director of the acclaimed true crime series 'The Body Next Door', sheds light on the ethical storytelling that centers victims' experiences. He delves into the shocking discovery of an unidentified body in a Welsh garden, unraveling the complexities of familial drama. Gareth and guest host Jo Ellison discuss the portrayal of controversial women in true crime and the balance between sensationalism and authenticity. Their conversation explores the deeper emotional connections that define true crime narratives, advocating for responsible storytelling.
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Unidentified Body Sparks Local Mystery
- The story begins with an unidentified body found in a Welsh village and no matching missing-person report.
- A neighbour had long claimed there was a skeleton in the garden but people dismissed her as a teller of tall tales.
Flamboyant Neighbour Divides The Village
- Lee Sabine (Lisa Bean) is portrayed as a flamboyant, theatrical local figure who divided opinion in the village.
- Neighbours alternately adored or avoided her, sensing she told tall stories and once claimed to be a nurse.
Backstory Reveals Motive
- The filmmakers mirrored the police investigation but dug deeper into family history across Australia and New Zealand.
- That deeper backstory revealed motive and emotional context the police did not fully pursue.