Plot Synopsis

MANHUNT is a three-part drama series that explores the real-life story of how the murder of a French National, Amelie Delagrange, on Twickenham Green in August 2004 was eventually linked to two other murders. Hard working and instinctive, Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton was assigned to the case and dedicated himself to finding Amelie's killer. With no forensics, motive or witnesses, his painstaking approach and the diligence of his fellow officers gradually led to breakthroughs in the case and to suspected serial killer Levi Bellfield. But now the hunt is on for enough evidence to arrest him and make sure he's found guilty at trial.

Episode 1: On 19th August 2004 French student Amelie Delagrange is found on Twickenham Green with fatal head injuries. Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton of the Metropolitan Police is appointed as Senior Investigating Officer, tasked with leading the investigation. There is no forensic evidence from the attacker at the crime scene, and no apparent motive. But there has been a spate of similar violent attacks on young women in the area. Colin suspects there could be a link to the murder of Marsha McDonnell in the previous year. The police discover that Amelie's phone last made contact with the network a short time after her death and six miles from Twickenham Green, close to the river. They now know that the killer must have taken it and left the scene in a vehicle. Colin puts a large proportion of his team onto checking CCTV from that night to try to find the vehicle, and decides to search the river by Walton Bridge. Some of Amelie's possessions are found, and CCTV reveals a suspicious white van close to the crime scene at the time of the attack. The entire three-episode first season of MANHUNT made its U.S. debut on Monday, March 11, 2019 on Acorn TV.

Episode 2: Colin Sutton and his team are trying to identify the white van they have discovered from an extensive trawl of CCTV images. But there are 25,000 possible vans that need to be checked and eliminated. Colin is due to fly to Spain with his wife. But Detective Sergeant Jo Brunt calls to report the team may have found the van. He cancels the trip to Spain and returns to the investigation, only to discover it is not the suspect van. Colin turns his attention to files of witness statements taken from the public. Colin finds a statement from a former partner of Levi Bellfield, which says that Bellfield hates women, is violent and drives a white van. Colin mounts a surveillance operation on Bellfield, becoming deeply concerned that they need to arrest him soon to prevent him from attacking again. Colin also discovers that Bellfield once lived close to the site of the disappearance of Milly Dowler in 2002. He gives this information to an old colleague in Surrey police, the force who are investigating Milly's murder.

Episode 3: DCI Colin Sutton briefs the team in preparation for Bellfield's arrest. But when they raid his home they can't find him. Have they lost him? DS Griffiths persuades Bellfield's frightened partner Laura Marsh to reveal that he is hiding up in the loft. DS Griffiths searches the loft, and finds Bellfield hiding under some fibreglass roof insulation. Finally they have Bellfield in custody. But they can only hold him for 72 hours. The clock is ticking, and Colin needs to charge Bellfield or release him. But Bellfield is admitting nothing. Bellfield's partner Laura Marsh then discloses that he has raped and abused her. Bellfield is remanded in custody. The team continue to investigate Bellfield's crimes, and finally find a crucial supermarket receipt that backs up Laura Marsh's account of Bellfield's movements on the night of Amelie's death. The CPS decide there is sufficient evidence for Levi Bellfield to be formally charged with the murder of Amelie Delagrange and another attempted murder.
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MANHUNT's second season made its debut on Monday, October 18, 2021, as Acorn TV released the first episode of the new season. A new episode debuts each Monday through November 8. As the suspect continued to evade capture, Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton was asked in 2009 to review the case. Working with Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan and the dedicated "Operation Minstead" team, Sutton proposed a strategy he believed could catch one of Britain's most prolific rapists, focusing a vast surveillance operation around a key area of southeast London. Scores of additional officers were deployed to invisibly saturate the target area on a nightly basis. The clock was ticking, as the Night Stalker was becoming ever more brazen and prolific. The drama explores how Sutton came in and helped solve it in a matter of weeks, taking an incredibly dangerous criminal off the streets.