AllMovie

Based on a true story, this two-part British miniseries chronicled the sorry career of Victorian-era doctor -- and unrepentant murderer -- William Palmer. Eager to become "the most famous surgeon in England," Palmer (played with appropriate arrogant detachment by Keith Allen) stopped at nothing to achieve his goal, ultimately poisoning anyone who had the temerity to stand in his way. Despite having decimated virtually his entire family, Palmer managed to get away with his homicidal perfidy until he brought about the death of his "best friend," John Parsons Cook (Richard Coyle). As a result of this final outrage, Palmer did indeed become England's most famous surgeon -- but not quite in the way that he'd always imagined. Originally telecast in Britain by Yorkshire Television on March 3 and 10, 1998, The Life and Crimes of William Palmer was seen in America via PBS' Mystery anthology on November 12 and 19, 1998.