Viewers of The Sixth Commandment praise Éanna Hardwicke’s ‘sinister’ portrayal of a murderous fraudster and call for him to win ‘all the awards’ as the disturbing BBC drama concludes
- People praised the performance of Irish-born Hardwicke, 26, on Twitter
- READ MORE: The Sixth Commandment viewers are left in floods of tears by Anne Reid’s ‘heart wrenching’ performance
Viewers of eerie BBC drama The Sixth Commandment have called for its star Eanna Hardwicke to win awards for his disturbing portrayal of murderous Fraudster, Ben Field, as the series concludes.
Hardwicke, 26, plays the real-life criminal, who is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of Peter Farquhar after convincing him to write Field into his will, in the four-part series written by Sarah Phelps.
As the series concluded on BBC One last night, viewers watched Field convicted of Farquhar’s murder, but acquitted of the attempted murder of Farquhar’s neighbour, Ann Moore-Martin.
After watching the conclusion of the series, viewers took to Twitter to praise all aspects of the distressing drama – pointing to Hardwicke’s performance in particular.
They called for the Irish actor to be recognised alongside his big name co-stars, Timothy Spall and Anne Reid, for his portrayal as the manipulative Field.
Viewers have praised Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke, 26 (pictured) for his performance as murderous fraudster Ben Field in The Sixth Commandment as the BBC series comes to an end
One person wrote: ‘Good grief… the acting in The Sixth Commandment is phenomenal.’
They continued to praise Spall and Reid, adding: ‘Éanna Hardwicke is also incredible as Ben. Just give it all the awards now. BBC drama at its VERY best.’
The drama tells the true story of clergyman and university professor Peter Farquhar, who develops a close bond with Field while teaching him English, and later falling in love with him.
However as the relationship between the pair develops, Peter begins to suffer psychotic episodes, exhaustion and dizzy spells.
Éanna starred alongside Anne Reid (pictured) who played Ann Moore-Martin, an elderly woman who developed a romantic relationship with Field
Taking to Twitter to praise Hardwicke, viewers said he was ‘utterly brilliant’ as the creepy, narcissistic Field
After a long period of ill-health that sees him collapsing and falling down the stairs with a black eye, he spends time in a care home where he makes a miraculous recovery, before suddenly passing away at home.
Following Peter’s death, viewers watch Field move in on his neighbour, Ann Moore-Martin, with whom he strikes up another romantic relationship.
Over a series of visits, he is shown to be growing closer to Anne, asking her about why she is single, kissing her cheek and bonding with her over religion.
But her niece Ann-Marie quickly grows concerned as Field starts spending more time with the older woman and their relationship develops.
Terrified her aunt is in danger, Ann-Marie travels to the older woman’s home, where she finds Anne has suffered a fall and quickly takes her to hospital.
Viewers praised Hardwicke on Twitter and called for him to receive the same recognition as his big name co-stars
Field tries to visit Anne’s house, but Ann-Marie confronts him, and tells him to leave, as well as leaving his key to the property.
Police came to visit Anne, where she tells them she saw Field putting white powder into her drinks.
But tragically, overnight before the investigation can go any further, Anne dies.
After Ann-Marie raises her suspicions about Field, a police investigation begins and Field is arrested for and charged with the murder of Peter Farquhar and the attempted murder of Ann Moore-Martin.
Throughout the court process, Field shows little contrition and admits to being ‘cruel’ to Peter by drugging him throughout their relationship – but denies murdering him.
Watching Hardwicke’s eerie performance as the killer, viewers have been left stunned by his range and ability to play such an evil character and took to Twitter to praise him, calling for him to receive the same recognition as his co-stars.
One viewer wrote: ‘Éanna Hardwicke is a revelation. Twenty-six years old, and sorry BBC iPlayer but to say the series stars Timothy Spall and Anne Reid (both of whom are very good) is really unfair on Hardwicke.
‘He may not have been known but is will be now. Stunning talent.’
Another impressed viewer said: ‘For those that hate the BBC, watch The Sixth Commandment and realise your opinion needs to be questioned.
‘Éanna Hardwicke’s performance is the creepiest I’ve seen since Richard Attenborough in 10 Rillington Place. Marvellous.’
One viewer, who described the acting all around as ‘superb’, said: ‘Éanna Hardwicke is incredible: plays a mix of cool, sinister, creepy, bland, and narcissistic, with such skill. Scared the life out of me!’
Elsewhere people called for Hardwicke and the rest of the cast to win awards for their performances, praising the entire ensemble and production for a triumphant drama.
‘The Sixth Commandment was truly something else,’ one said. ‘One of the best one-off dramas I have ever watched. The awfulness of it being based on a true story though… those poor people.’
Another said: ‘Although he was playing a real life evil b*****d, Éanna Hardwicke deserves an award or some recognition for his portrayal of that monster because he absolutely nailed it.’
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