Episode description

Welcome to hell. The true story of Scotland’s notorious serial killers, Burke and Hare.

On Christmas Day in 1828 the jury at the High Court decide that serial killer, William Burke, is guilty of the murder of Madgy Docherty. Burke is sentenced to be hanged and his body publicly dissected. A crowd of 25,000 people turn out to watch him die – while his accomplice, William Hare, walks free from the court.

Powerful five-part drama-documentary series from BBC Radio 4 with bonus scenes on BBC Sounds.

Written and dramatised by Colin MacDonald.

Narrator ….. Jack Lowden Burke ….. Gavin Mitchell Boyle ….. Paul Young Robert Knox ….. Simon Donaldson Janet Brown ….. Nicola Roy Mrs Wilson ….. Lucianne McEvoy Galbraith ….. Andy Clark John Fisher ….. Robert Jack Michael Campbell ….. James Rottger Other parts played by the cast.

Producer/director: Bruce Young