The writer of a new TV drama has described how his Nottinghamshire village was 'invaded' following two murders that inspired the series. James Graham's new BBC One drama Sherwood is loosely based on the murders of newly-wed Chanel Taylor and 62-year-old ex-miner Keith Frogson in 2004, and takes place in Annesley Woodhouse, where the show's creator grew up.
Both killers had gone to ground in woodland near the village, leading to one of the biggest police manhunts in British history. Along with this causing panic in the village, the situation was complicated by a lingering distrust towards the arriving police officers after the miners' strike in 1984, according to Sherwood's creator.
The screenwriter told Nottinghamshire Live about how the feeling that his home was under 'foreign invasion' during the national manhunt drove him to write the TV show, which will air on Monday, June 13, at 9pm. Mr Graham, who at 21 years old had returned to Annesley Woodhouse in 2004 after studying in Yorkshire, said: "I did not want to take any of the personal experiences lightly and, as someone who lived in the village, I was very aware of the specifics of the story. With all the police and the atmosphere after the strikes, it really did feel like an invading foreign force, with a big lockdown in place."
Read more: BBC One Sherwood: The Nottinghamshire killings which inspired chilling new drama
Officers and their search dogs had combed dense woodland for clues about the whereabouts of the two suspects - Terry Rodgers, who had shot Chanel, and Robert Boyer, who had slain Mr Frogson with a crossbow and Samurai sword.
The search for Rodgers involved a team of more than 450 officers from forces across the UK, cost more than £1.5m, and led to "wanted" posters being stuck onto lamp-posts and in shop windows. Days earlier Boyer had disappeared into the same woodland.
Mr Graham said he had fictionalised the story partly because of a responsibility to the village where he was raised. "It still really chimes with people living in the village. We chose to fictionalise the story as part of our responsibility to the community, but also because I was so taken by the thought of what it must have been like for the police officers in that situation," he added.
"There was a real resentment and anger towards the police in mining towns after the strikes. But it was incredible speaking to the real police officers that investigated the real case, and how they were they were very sensitive, and kept the community up to date."
Rodgers eluded police for almost three weeks after constructing a shelter in the woods. He was finally found on August 16, the day after Boyer had been discovered.
Rodgers, then 55, admitted the manslaughter of his newly-wed daughter Chanel on the grounds of diminished responsibility, but denied her murder. However, prosecutors refused to accept his plea, and a murder trial was set for March 6, 2006, but he went on hunger strike and died in February, 2006.
Boyer, then 42, later pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Keith Frogson and at Nottingham Crown Court was given an indefinite hospital order. Boyer, who had mental health problems, wrongly believed Mr Frogson was out to get him.
Mr Graham he hoped the show, which references the impact of Conservative Party victory in the traditionally Labour controlled 'red wall', and tensions with the police, could "encourage conversation" as well as remind people of the past. "I think drama is meant to encourage conversation and I can only hope that different generations will be able to watch it together," he added.
"I would hope that we could show the historical events to younger generations. Actors in my experience are very political animals and I hope that commentary aspect is why we have managed to assemble the cast we have."
