ITVX announced a partnership documentary with ITV1 starring Matthew Macfadyen. The 48-year-old British actor portrays John Stonehouse, former Labour MP who staged his own death to escape a failing business venture.

Stonehouse, the son of a scullery maid, was just 16 years old when the British Labour Party. He served as a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Harold Wilson between July 1, 1968 and October 1, 1969.

The former President of the London Co-operative Society turned to deceptive accounting practices in a failed attempt to save his companies. After Stonehouse got wind of the Department of Trade and Industry closing in on him, he started planning his own staged death.

An elaborate strategy put Stonehouse at the forefront of what would become one of Britain’s most notorious staged death cases. Matthew Macfayden (Quiz, The Enfield Haunting, Howards End, Succession) is joined on stage by his wife, Keeley Hawes who will portray Stonehouse’s wife, Barbara Smith. Both Hawes and Macfayden have extensive acting careers.

The 46-year-old Hawes (Murdoch Mysteries, Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty, The Midwich Cuckoos) is best known for her role as Louisa Durrell in The Durrells. Stonehouse will air on ITV. Learn more by clicking the link.