Netflix series about depraved British serial killers soars to top of Netflix charts

A new Netflix documentary series details the crimes of serial killers Fred and Rose West (Picture: South West News Service/ Shutterstock)

Netflix viewers have rushed to binge a new documentary series about the ‘harrowing’ crimes of Fred and Rose West.

In 1994, the address 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester gained notoriety and became known as a ‘house of horrors’ after the bodies of nine young women were found buried in the garden and cellar after being murdered and dismembered by Fred and Rose West.

As details of the couple’s crimes were revealed, the public were horrified to discover what they’d subjected the young women, including one of their own daughters, to.

A few days ago, a new series about them was released – Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story.

The three episodes focus individually on Fred, Rose and their trial, with recently discovered police interview tapes with Fred ‘offering firsthand insight into the crimes of this notorious serial-killing couple’.

The streaming service has labelled this a ‘definitive documentary series’ that also features ‘exclusive access to previously unseen police video and unheard audio recordings’, as well as the family members of some of the victims, some of whom are speaking about their trauma for the first time.

The couple murdered 12 people, including one of their own daughters (Picture: Shutterstock)

Since its release, the series has shot up the charts and is currently the most-watched show on Netflix in the UK.

In its review, LeisureByte.com wrote: ‘Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story nails the execution of a harrowing tale and leaves us on edge throughout its runtime.’

‘A well-made series, mindful to avoid seeming overtly sensationalist, although it doesn’t attempt to include any cod psychology to explain Fred West’s psychopathy, nor does it explore his childhood,’ The Times shared.

‘The series works methodically – and with admirable sobriety, given how excitable some true crime can get,’ The Daily Telegraph added.

The Wests met when Fred was 27 and Rose was 15. She became pregnant a month after her 16th birthday.

The couple went on to have 10 children together, including daughter Heather, whom they murdered when she was 16 and buried under their patio.

Their Gloucester home became known as a ‘house of horrors’ (Picture: South West News/ Shutterstock)

Fred initially asked his wife to have sex with other men as he watched from another room, before they eventually kidnapped, tortured, raped, killed and dismembered 12 people.

Meanwhile, their own children described Rose as physically abusive behind closed doors, while two daughters accused Fred of sexual abuse.

After the pair were arrested, Fred took his own life in 1995, a month before pretrial proceedings.

Rose was eventually found guilty of ten murders and was sentenced to life in prison, where she is currently serving her life sentence at HM Prison New Hall.

Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story is streaming on Netflix.

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