Couple Escapes Murder Charges in '56 Days' TV Adaptation

Prime Video series changes the ending of the best-selling erotic thriller novel.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Prime Video series adaptation of Catherine Ryan Howard's 2021 novel "56 Days" concludes with a drastically different ending from the source material. In the show, the main characters Ciara Wyse and Oliver Kennedy, who are both hiding their true identities, ultimately escape murder charges after killing Oliver's manipulative therapist Dan Troxler. This differs from the book, where Oliver is revealed to be the murderer and is killed by Ciara. The TV version instead has the couple fleeing to a tropical paradise with their newborn baby.

Why it matters

The ending of the "56 Days" TV adaptation represents a significant creative departure from the original novel, reframing the central relationship between Ciara and Oliver. While the book portrays a darker, more tragic outcome, the show opts for a more redemptive conclusion where love triumphs over revenge.

The details

In the TV series, we learn that Oliver's real last name is St. Ledger and that he and his friend Shane Martin were involved in the murder of their classmate Paul Sparling when they were teenagers. Oliver confessed to his father, who helped him pin the crime on Shane. Years later, Oliver's therapist Dan Troxler began blackmailing the St. Ledger family. It's revealed that Ciara is actually Shane's sister Megan, who infiltrated Oliver's life to get revenge. However, Ciara ends up falling for Oliver, and the two team up to kill Troxler. With the help of Ciara's sister Shyla, they stage the crime scene to frame a local drug dealer. In the final scene, Oliver and Ciara are living happily in a tropical paradise with their baby.

  • In high school, Oliver and Shane were involved in the murder of their classmate Paul Sparling.
  • Years later, Oliver's therapist Dan Troxler began blackmailing the St. Ledger family.

The players

Ciara Wyse

The main female protagonist, who is actually Megan Martin, the younger sister of Oliver's friend Shane. She infiltrated Oliver's life to get revenge, but ended up falling in love with him.

Oliver Kennedy

The main male protagonist, whose real last name is St. Ledger. He was involved in the murder of his classmate Paul Sparling when he was a teenager, and has been using a pseudonym to hide from his dark past.

Dan Troxler

Oliver's manipulative therapist, who began blackmailing the St. Ledger family after learning the details of Oliver and Shane's involvement in Paul's murder.

Shyla

Ciara's sister, who helps her and Oliver stage the crime scene to frame a local drug dealer for Troxler's murder.

Lee Reardon

One of the detectives investigating Troxler's murder, who decides to frame the local drug dealer with the help of her bribery-laced affair.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.