LONDON – 6 February 2024– TRUE CRIME, the #1 factual entertainment channel in the UK amongst women 16+[1], part of a joint venture owned by AMC Networks International – UK and Paramount Global, announces the premiere of a new, expert-led true crime original series offering an insight into recent murder investigations. “Secrets of a Murder Detective” (10×60’) was produced by Phoenix Television and will premiere on 20th March in the UK.
The series, presented by former Scotland Yard Homicide Detective Inspector Steve Keogh, invites viewers into the intriguing realm of crime solving. With 30 years of experience under his belt including twelve years of service as a murder detective at the Metropolitan Police, Steve is opening up his contact books for the first time to reveal the secrets of what it really takes to be a murder detective on the frontline.
Each episode unfolds as a gripping narrative, with Steve setting the scene and tone of each murder case. The series takes viewers on an immersive journey through the crime and its investigation, from the beginning to the pivotal breakthrough leading to conviction. Steve provides unique and authentic insights into the intricate workings of investigations and the minds of detectives, bringing viewers into the heart of each case.
In the series, we’ll see Steve in conversation with leading officers on each case, as they share personal memories of the investigations. Additionally, viewers will also hear from key experts and family members for each case, as the investigation’s timeline is followed. Another key focus of the series is the use of modern investigative techniques and tools and the innovative ways experts on each case use these to solve the murders.
Cases include the story of soap actress Sian Blake and her two sons, who were murdered by her partner in 2015 and how the investigation evolved from a mid-risk missing person case to a homicide one. The series also explores the 2013 murder of 17-years-old Champion Ganda, who was a victim of a knife crime in East London. The episode gives viewers first-hand insight by Steve and other investigators who worked on the case, into the difficulties of similar cases with lack of leads and suspects. In another episode, viewers will learn more about Dena Thompson, known in the British press as ‘The Black Widow’ and the investigation into the deaths of her previous partners.
“Secrets of a Murder Detective” offers a riveting blend of suspense, education and celebration of exceptional detective work, providing viewers with a unique behind-the-scenes look at recent cases.
Sam Rowden, Vice President of Content and Production, AMC Networks International – UK, said: “’Secrets of a Murder Detective’ opens up modern day policing and specifically, murder investigation, to our audiences. Phoenix have excelled themselves creatively with this series, and Steve Keogh’s Steve’s expertise and compassionate commentary will captivate and engage audiences with the kind of compelling stories our viewers have come to expect from TRUE CRIME.
Jaimi West, founding partner at Phoenix Television, said: “This new series has been a real collaboration with Steve Keogh. Together with TRUE CRIME, we’ve created a unique programme that offers a fresh insight into the work of murder detectives and the cases they’re determined to solve”.
“Secrets of a Murder Detective” is the third Phoenix Television commission by TRUE CRIME. Phoenix previously produced “Murder: Fight for the Truth” and “Murder: First on Scene” for the channel.
“Secrets of a Murder Detective” will premiere on TRUE CRIME on 20th March at 10pm and will also be available to stream on WATCH FREE UK.
Images are available HERE.
For more information on TRUE CRIME, please visit: truecrime-tv.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/truecrimetvchannel
Instagram: instagram.com/truecrime_tv
About TRUE CRIME
Home to expert-led true crime, TRUE CRIME analyses authentic criminal cases through first-hand interviews, archive footage and key evidence. TRUE CRIME guides the viewer through the investigative process from the crime scene to the courtroom, introducing them to top experts and cutting-edge forensic technologies along the way.
Always factual, always true.
The channel has invested significantly in original true crime programming, including “Murder by the Sea”, “The Murder That Changed Britain”, “The Truth About My Murder”, “Donal MacIntyre’s Killer Evidence”, “Murder: First on Scene” and “Wrongly Accused”.
Available in over 26 million UK households, TRUE CRIME is the biggest factual entertainment channel in the UK amongst adult women, and a Top 10 most watched non-PSB channel amongst all adults. Launched in 2009 as CBS Reality, TRUE CRIME is a partnership between Paramount Global and leading international broadcaster AMC Networks International – UK.
AMC Networks International – UK is a business unit of AMC Networks International which delivers entertaining and acclaimed programming to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. AMC Networks International is the global division of AMC Networks. For more information, please visit: www.amcnetworksinternational.com
ABOUT PHOENIX TELEVISION
Phoenix Television is a brave, innovative non-scripted television production company. We make different. The company is jointly owned and run by Founding Partners Jaimi West and Miles Jarvis who worked together for 17 years at three different production companies before setting up Phoenix in 2017. We are experts at creating and delivering innovative, high quality, returnable non-scripted series and premium factual. As passionate programme makers we thrive on developing and producing programmes under three editorial pillars: Specialist Factual, Crime and Factual Entertainment/Reality. Phoenix is an ethnically diverse, female-led, Royal Television Society award-winning British indie based in Hampshire, UK.
Our programmes and more about us can be found at www.phoenixtelevision.co.uk
Instagram: @phoenixtelevision
[1] Source: BARB/Techedge. Data based on daypart 0900-2959