Gone on ITV: Did Michael Polly really kill his wife Sarah? Top 5 suspects in the frame
Police questioned Michael Polly and Stephen Sedgwick in episode 3
Gone is arguably ITV’s best crime drama of 2026, and it continued tonight with episode 3 – and a new suspect in the frame for the murder of Sarah Polly.
Viewers will know that the music teacher disappeared and was subsequently found murdered in the woods by her house. An as yet unknown person strangled her to death before dumping her dead body and making a run for it.
In the latest episode of the six-parter, DI Ivan Pemberley and DC Nira Barker put their prime suspect Michael Polly under intense scrutiny. Under questioning, he consistently denied hurting his wife.
So if he didn’t, who did? Here are the obvious suspects who might have killed Sarah Polly in Gone on ITV.
***Warning: spoilers from Gone episode 1 to 3 ahead***
Did Michael Polly kill his wife Sarah?
There’s no denying that Michael Polly’s behaviour has been decidedly odd since the disappearance of his wife Sarah. Seemingly more man than machine, he’s been acting like nothing at all is the matter, even continuing his work duties. He’s colder than a stroll in the Arctic with no clothes on. But that doesn’t mean he’s a killer.
The evidence against him? Well, there’s no actual proof as yet. Statistically, it’s more likely to be someone Sarah knew, though. And Michael did have motive if he knew his wife was having an affair. Was Michael capable of killing his wife Sarah? Only time will tell (unless you’ve already binged the series to the dramatic end and know the answer).
We also have Sarah’s diaries saying she was “scared of” Michael.
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Don’t forget that Michael has an alibi for the time police believe Sarah went missing, though. And his every move seems to be accounted for, according to his loyal secretary and diary-keeper Simone Kinnard.
Suspect number 2 Stephen Sedgwick in ITV’s Gone
School parent Stephen Sedgwick is now looking guilty as sin, too. The parent of rugby star Dylan, Stephen was having an affair with Sarah Polly behind both their partners’ backs. After being called in for questioning, Stephen insisted Sarah was unhappy in her marriage, and planned to leave Michael. There were 700 deleted messages from both Sarah and Stephen’s phones.
He said: “Sarah and I became extremely close. We wanted to have an affair but we stopped ourselves. She was stuck in a nothing marriage.”
But he was lying. They did have a full-on affair, and even talked about leaving their spouses. There is plenty of incriminating evidence against Stephen. And not just that he’s a deceitful, cheating scumbag. First of all, his calls to Sarah stopped as soon as she went missing. Not even an “are you okay?” That was because she had ended their relationship. Her final message (in the recovered data) said: “It’s over.” In turn, Stephen told Sarah: “You are going to [bleep] pay for this.”
That’s pretty damning evidence, right there.
Dylan Sedgwick
Young rugby star Dylan Sedgwick (played by award-winning actor Billy Barratt) isn’t an obvious suspect, but ITV thrillers aren’t afraid to throw us a curveball. Dylan is constantly getting into trouble at school, and is known for having quite the temper.
Struggling academically, he’s in a difficult position at his elite private school. He feels alienated from his parents and picked on by his overbearing headmaster. But crucially, he is furious at his father.
Could his fury have been targeted at his dad’s lover? It would certainly have killed two birds with one stone – get revenge on his dad, and set up Michael Polly for murder.
Suspect number 4 in ITV’s Gone: Paul Whitchurch
On paper, Paul Whitchurch is a well-liked science teacher at St Bartholomew’s, who also occasionally trains the rugby team. Crucially, he is dating Michael and Sarah’s daughter Alana – and definitely aware of Michael’s disapproval.
He stands his ground in the face of Michael’s hostility and appeared to have no beef with Sarah at all. However, there does seem to be something not quite right about Paul.
Although there is no evidence against him, he works at the school where Sarah also worked, and his motives are – as yet – unclear. Could his hostile relationship with Alana’s father have caused him to set him up for murder?
Rory Bowman
Anybody else think Rory Bowman is a little too good to be true? The deputy head of St Bartholomew’s School (and a former pupil there) he and Michael go way back.
Described as “studious, fastidious and anxious to please”, he’s more approachable than frosty Michael, and they have differing approaches to leadership. But he is also pretty calculated in his own way… How quick was he to assume the title of Head in Michael’s absence?
Perhaps Michael’s job wasn’t the only thing he coveted.
