True Crime Documentaries

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BBC Select delves into the world of true crime with a range of eye-opening documentaries. Learn more about crimes that made the headlines including the Wests and Jimmy Saville, shocking misdemeanors from recent times in Britain and America, as well as unlawful acts from the past including the crimes of Jack the Ripper.

The Murder of Sandra Rivett

The Murder of Sandra Rivett

In 1974, an aristocratic household in London was at war as Lord and Lady Lucan fought bitterly over the custody of their children. One night, the couple’s nanny was murdered, while Lord Lucan vanished forever. This true crime documentary investigates why the hunt for Lucan has dominated the media for half a century, while the name of the victim, Sandra Rivett, has been forgotten.

The Killing Call

The Killing Call

It was a killing that shocked India: Punjabi hip-hop legend Sidhu Moose Wala shot dead by hired hitmen in the pay of gangsters. Three years after the murder, the BBC investigates how one of India’s biggest music stars found himself on the wrong side of the country’s most feared gang—and asks the fugitive gangster who says he ordered the hit: why did he want Moose Wala dead?

Faces of Evil

Faces of Evil

In this gripping true crime documentary series, nefarious deeds committed by some of the world’s most infamous killers are investigated. From relentless serial killers to remorseless murderers, the evil behind their often unassuming faces is revealed. First-hand accounts from detectives who worked on the cases, are combined with expert analysis from criminologists and forensic psychologists.

Kim Philby: His Most Intimate Betrayal

Kim Philby: His Most Intimate Betrayal

Double agent Kim Philby was known as a gentlemanly spy, but author Ben Macintyre argues that he was actually a ruthless killer who betrayed everyone around him. This gripping documentary follows three friends, each a leading spy. Two were unknowingly embroiled by the third in a web of personal treachery and deceit, culminating in ruined careers, suicide attempts and the deaths of many agents.

A Saltburn Mystery: Accused of Murdering Our Son – The Steven Clark Story

A Saltburn Mystery: Accused of Murdering Our Son – The Steven Clark Story

In September 2020, Charles and Doris Clark were arrested on suspicion of murdering their son, Steven. He had been reported missing 28 years earlier. In this fascinating true crime documentary, Charles and Doris allow investigators unparalleled access to their lives. They’re determined to clear their names and also discover the truth about Steven and his mysterious disappearance.