An Eye for a Killing – 1. The Trial on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve, 1828: William Burke is on trial for murder at the High Court in Edinburgh. In the witness box is his accuser - William Hare - Burke’s accomplice in 16 murders.
Welcome to hell. The true story of Scotland’s notorious serial killers, Burke and Hare.
On Christmas Eve in 1828, William Burke is on trial for murder at the High Court in Edinburgh. He’s accused of killing an old woman, Madgy Docherty. In the witness box is his accuser – William Hare - who is Burke’s accomplice in 16 murders.
What started these two former canal labourers on a mass killing spree? In 1828, Edinburgh is a world-leading centre of medical training and dissection. The anatomists need cadavers on which to demonstrate and practice – but the supply of bodies from hospitals and prisons isn’t enough to meet the demand. Burke and Hare discover they can earn £10 by selling a dead body and decide they will lure victims to their lodging house and murder them.
Powerful five-part drama-documentary series from Â鶹Éç Radio 4 with bonus scenes on Â鶹Éç Sounds.
Written and dramatised by Colin MacDonald.
Narrator ….. Jack Lowden
Burke ….. Gavin Mitchell
Hare ….. James Boal
John Fisher ….. Robert Jack
Mary Paterson ….. Helen Mackay
Janet Brown ….. Nicola Roy
Madgy Docherty ….. Maureen Carr
Jamie ….. Kyle Gardiner
Sheriff Tait ….. Ron Donachie
Sir William Rae ….. Stuart McQuarrie
Robert Knox ….. Simon Donaldson
Other parts played by the cast.
Producer/director: Bruce Young
Last on
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Broadcast
- Fri 28 Apr 2023 14:15Â鶹Éç Radio 4
How can a house just disappear?
The incredible true story of the vanishing house on a remote island.
Podcast
-
![]()
Limelight
The Limelight podcast - for fiction and drama serials you won't want to miss from Radio 4.
