The Four Last Things is set in 2007 North London when a young girl is kidnapped by a serial killer who calls herself Angela Wharton or 'Angel'. The show starts with the ordination of a female curate - Mary Appleton - as the first female curate in the fictitious diocese of Roslington. However, she is heckled by an old lady called Audrey Oliphant. Her carer, Angela Wharton, also appears in the background behind the altar. Her parents are sent on a wild goose chase after 'Angel' leaves a number of child's body parts around the city.