JENNA Coleman will portray Marie-Andree Leclerc in a new BBC crime drama called The Serpent.
Marie-Andree Leclerc was the girlfriend of Charles Sobhraj, a murderer in the 1970s.
Who was Marie-Andree Leclerc?
Marie-Andree Leclerc was born in Quebec, Canada in 1945.
She trained and worked as a medical secretary.
At the age of 30 she agreed to be Charles Sobhraj’s accomplice for his crimes, which involved scamming and committing theft against tourists to steal their passports and money.
Hippies were the usual targets due to Charles’ unfounded dislike of them.
Despite being in a relationship with Charles, she denied knowing about his murders.
How long was Marie-Andree Leclerc dating Charles Sobhraj?
Marie-Andrée Leclerc met Charles Sobhraj in Kashmir, India in 1975.
He was her tour guide around the country and after wooing her, he made her promise to return to see him again.
Over a period of three months he sent her love letters, then she flew to Bangkok to meet him.
Their relationship continued until they were caught for their crimes.
Did Marie-Andree Leclerc help Charles Sobhraj kill his victims?
Marie-Andree was Charles’ accomplice, though she denies knowledge of the murders.
She did give one of the victims, Dominique Veylau, a potion which left him ill and on another occasion used the passport of a murdered woman.
Another victim reportedly said: “She had to know about it. Anyone with eyes and ears could see what was going on in this apartment.”
When did Marie-Andree Leclerc die?
Marie-Andree died aged 38.
She died in Canada, her home country on April 20, 1984.
Despite being convicted of murder, she appealed and was released on the condition that she couldn’t leave India.
Three years later she was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.
The Indian Supreme Court ruled she could return to Canada to die.
Who plays Marie-Andree Leclerc in The Serpent?
Jenna Coleman will take on the role of Marie-Andree Leclerc in the BBC One drama.
Jenna rose to fame after acting in Doctor Who and has since starred in Victoria.
Speaking to RadioTimes, Jenna said she read Marie-Andree’s diaries to prepare for the role.
“The way she lived was completely delusional.
“It was all about squashing all of it away and not letting the truth in. She had an obsessive nature and was incredibly emotional.
“I think she was depressive and certainly unstable at times. She lived in this conflicted state, not acknowledging the murders that were going on.
“In her subconscious it was all about putting the truth away.”
