BBC Studios: True Crime, In Its Prime
24 May 2023
BBC Sounds Stage
True crime is more popular – and more upmarket - than ever. The genre used to be dominated by low budget cable TV documentaries about convicted serial killers. But podcasting has changed that. From solving cold cases to uncovering miscarriages of justice, true crime attracts big budgets, top writers and serious investigative journalists. In 2021, BBC Studios, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC, set up a podcast unit to make premium narrative content for BBC and commercial platforms. Two years on, for BBC Sounds/BBC Podcasts the unit has produced the New York Festivals award winning Obscene: The Dublin Scandal; new revelations about the unsolved murder of schoolboy Vishal; and Jamie Bartlett’s latest serial Believe in Magic. All combine in depth investigative journalism with high production values and gripping storytelling. Some of BBC Studios' true crime top talents share their sleuthing tips and tell us why the genre is as addictive to work in as it is to listen to.