A two-part true-crime doc about the murder of Peter Falconio in the Australian Outback has been commissioned at UKTV for the U streaming platform and U&W from Prospero Productions, with Sphere Abacus handling international distribution.
Made with the support of Screenwest and Screen Australia, Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder will explore the murder of Falconio, and Joanne Lees’ dramatic escape from Bradley John Murdoch, who was convicted of the crime but maintained his innocence till the end, dying in prison last year. Almost 25 years later, Falconio’s remains have never been found.
The doc was commissioned for UKTV by Tracy-Jean, commissioning executive, with Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment, and ordered by Adam Collings, director of programming, factual and factual entertainment, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.
UKTV’s Tracy-Jean said: “As an Australian living in the U.K., I remember the years that this was front page news, so needed the right reason to resurface such a tragic situation. What Prospero offered in revisiting the scene and the story 25 years on, is a window into Joanne’s incredible courage, a new perspective on Murdoch’s mindset, and an attempt to bring some comfort to those who are still missing Peter. From its inception, the team has approached this documentary with the care, curiosity, and sensitivity it deserves.”
Collings commented: “True crime is becoming an increasing part of our exclusive factual offering, both on demand on U and on linear on U&W, and I’m pleased that we can add a brand new look at one of the most compelling true crime cases of the last 25 years.”
Julia Redwood, Prospero Productions owner, managing director, and EP, said, “Few stories have captured both British and Australian audiences quite like the murder of Peter Falconio 25 years ago. In Outback Terror: The Falconio Murde,r we bring together world-leading experts to re-examine the case through a modern lens, shedding new light on a case that has been plagued by misinformation and conspiracy theories.”
Screen Australia’s head of documentary, Richard Huddleston, said, “In Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder, led by Julia Redwood, the experienced Prospero Productions team explores how cutting-edge technology has the potential to shed new light on a case that continues to intrigue people the world over.”
Screenwest Head of Industry Development, Gabrielle Cole, said, “In Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder, Prospero Productions brings experts together to explore how modern technology could help provide clarity to a case that continues to resonate.”
