'Can You Keep a Secret?' review: Making light of insurance fraud - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Robert LloydFebruary 12, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The article reviews *“Can You Keep a Secret?”*, a British comedy series premiering on Paramount+, which is inspired by the true story of John Darwin, a man who faked his death in 2002 to claim a life insurance payout. The show, created and written by Simon Mayhew-Archer, reimagines this infamous case with humor, centering on Harry Fendon (Craig Roberts), a depressed son who discovers his supposedly deceased father, William (Mark Heap), is still alive and being kept hidden by his mother, Debbie (Dawn French). The series explores the family’s elaborate scheme to keep William’s secret while navigating the consequences of their deceit.
The story begins with Harry visiting Debbie after believing his father had died. Debbie reveals that William, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was declared dead after accidentally overdosing on medication. Seizing on an opportunity suggested by a mortician, Debbie and William decided to keep him legally dead for financial gain. The series delves into the family dynamics as they struggle with the secrecy, including Harry’s dilemma over whether to inform his police officer wife, Neha (Mandip Gill), about his father’s alive status. Tensions rise when blackmail notes begin arriving, turning the story into a suspenseful mystery.
The humor in *“Can You Keep a Secret?”* is rooted in British wit, with characters often engaging in circular conversations and pop-culture references that may resonate more
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/12/2026