ITV’s gripping drama Liar returns to screens tonight, after leaving viewers on the edge of their seats with the cliffhanger of serial rapist Andrew Earlham’s murder in 2017.
And series two kicks off three weeks after damning evidence was uncovered proving Andrew Earlham sexually assaulted nineteen women, before his body was found in the Kent marshes.
Rape victim Laura Nielson’s relief at the news is soon replaced by shock, as a murder investigation is launched by out of town DI Karen Renton, rocking the seaside community.
Together with DS Rory Maxwell, they begin to unpack the events of the three crucial weeks leading up to Andrew’s death and look at the possible suspects, and their motives.
Laura Nielson
Rape victim Laura Nielson’s relief at the news is soon replaced by shock, as a murder investigation is launched. Laura, played by Joanne Froggatt, is a prime suspect given her motive as a victim
ITV’s gripping drama Liar returns to screens tonight, after leaving viewers on the edge of their seats with the cliffhanger of serial rapist Andrew Earlham’s murder in 2017
Laura, played by Joanne Froggatt, is a prime suspect given her motive as a victim.
In the first series the teacher was seen tying him up and spiking his drink to gain a confession, before he escaped.
Laura may have followed him and murdered him in fear of not getting retribution in court.
DS Rory Maxwell
DS Rory Maxwell, played by Danny Webb, could have murdered him in revenge for the rape of his colleague DI Vanessa Harmon
Despite his role in uncovering his murder alongside DI Karen Renton this season, Rory, played by Danny Webb, could have murdered him in revenge for the rape of his colleague DI Vanessa Harmon.
The detective had full access to Earlham’s case, and may have decided to take matters into his own hands in fear of losing the court case.
Luke Earlham
Earlham’s son Luke, played by Jamie Flatters, was seen breaking down when he discovered the nature of his father’s horrendous crimes
Earlham’s son Luke, played by Jamie Flatters, was seen breaking down when he discovered the nature of his father’s horrendous crimes – which even saw him being questioned over the rape of one of his teachers.
Along well as battling the trauma of his mother’s death, could this have pushed him over the edge to murder his own father?
Jenn Robertson
Jennifer Robertson, played by Jill Halfpenny, was furious upon discovering her partner DI Harmon had been raped
Jennifer Robertson, played by Jill Halfpenny, was furious upon discovering her partner DI Harmon had been raped.
As a former soldier in Iraq, she is no stranger to murder and shows no remorse upon discovering Earlham has been murdered.
Vanessa Harmon
DI Harmon, played by Shelley Conn, was another one of Earlham’s victims, in a particularly troubling twist after she was raped as she investigated Laura’s assault
DI Harmon, played by Shelley Conn, was another one of Earlham’s victims, in a particularly troubling twist after she was raped as she investigated Laura’s assault.
Vanessa was there when Laura cornered Earlham and drugged him in a bid to extract a confession.
She witnessed his escape – and could have pursued him.
Katy Sutcliffe
Katy Sutcliffe, seen far left, is the sister of rape victim Laura, and as a nurse had access to tools that could have been used for murder
Katy, Zoe Tapper, is the sister of rape victim Laura, and as a nurse had access to tools that could have been used for murder.
After having an affair with Laura’s ex-boyfriend PC Tom Bailey, which led her husband Liam to leave her, her guilt may have been motive enough to commit the murder.
Rape victim Laura Nielson (left) is seen with rapist Andrew Earlham (right) before his murder