Netflix drama about the “unimaginable tragedy” of Rachel Nickell gets first look and release date

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I just saw the trailer for this new Netflix series, The Witness, and it looks really intense! It’s about the tragic murder of Rachel Nickell back in 1992, and what’s so heartbreaking is that her two-year-old son, Alex, actually witnessed it. The series seems to focus on how this awful crime affected both Alex and Rachel’s partner, André Hanscombe, and how they coped with everything after. It’s going to be a tough watch, but I’m definitely intrigued.

Rob Williams’ new film, The Witness, has released its first trailer, which begins by showing the events just before the death of Nickell.

Samantha Nickell was attacked and killed while walking her dog on Wimbledon Common in southwest London. Thankfully, her son, Alex, was not hurt. The man who killed her, Robert Napper, wasn’t connected to the crime until the investigation was reopened in 2002, and he was finally convicted in 2008.

Reflecting on the crime and the investigation that followed, the series The Witness portrays a father and son—played by Jordan Bolger as André, and Jahsaiah Williams and Max Fincham as Alex—struggling to cope with the devastating consequences of a terrible tragedy.

André focused all his attention on his son, Alex, who was the only person to see the attack, even as he dealt with his own sadness. This is the central theme of the story, The Witness.

Amidst intense and often unfair media attention, and with the police urgently trying to solve the case, his only focus was the well-being of his deeply shaken son. This is the story of a father and son finding their way through the devastating aftermath of tragedy, and ultimately moving towards hope and healing.

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Featuring Kerry Godliman as June, the series The Witness premieres on Netflix on June 4th. Alongside the drama, Netflix will also release a true crime documentary.

Lucy Bowen’s documentary, The Murder of Rachel Nickell, delves into the details of the case—including the mistaken arrest of Colin Stagg—using never-before-seen footage, interviews with Rachel’s family, and analysis from top forensic specialists. It also examines the background of the recent drama series based on the events.

In a statement, André and Alex Hanscombe said they feel “blessed” to be able to share their story.

It’s been a tough journey, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us. We deeply appreciate their kindness, generosity, and willingness to believe in our story and help bring it to life. They’ve treated it – and us – with such care.

We’re deeply grateful for the blessings that have guided us and for the chance to share our experiences. We hope our story inspires others to face life’s challenges with faith, hope, and love, and to never lose sight of their dreams.

The Witness and The Murder of Rachel Nickell are released on Netflix on 4 June.

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2026-04-28 14:49