BritBox May 2021 Highlights

BritBox May 2021 Highlights

London, April 12th: BritBox today announced content launching on the service throughout May 2021. 

May shines a spotlight on gangsters with BritBox’s first factual commission Secrets of the Krays; which will launch on 13th May. Feature films Legend (2015) starring Tom Hardy and Mr Nice (2010) starring Rhys Ifans will also be added to the growing collection. 

The first two episodes of BritBox’s hotly anticipated original drama, revenge thriller The Beast Must Die starring Cush Jumbo and Jared Harris will be available exclusively to subscribers from 27th May. 

1st May

Feature Films 

Feature films added to the service this month include dark dramas Mr Nice (2010) and The Secret of Marrowbone (2017) starring Anya Taylor Joy and George MacKay,  Ken Loach drama Raining Stones (1993) starring Ricky Tomlinson and Bruce Jones, romantic drama With Or Without You (1999) starring Christopher Ecclestone and rom-com Late Night Shopping (2001) starring Kate Ashfield. Sports drama True Blue (1996) starring Dominic West and comedies Remember Me? (1997) starring Imelda Staunton, Rick Mayall and Robert Lindsay, and Singleton’s Pluck (1984) starring Ian Holm will also be added. 

6th May

Revealed: Jack the Ripper: Tabloid Killer 

On 25th September 1888, a letter arrived at Britain’s Central News Agency. It claimed to come from the most famous serial killer in history and for the first time, revealed the now legendary name, ‘Jack the Ripper.’ A closer look at the history reveals how this serial killer could have been fabricated for readers who couldn’t get enough tabloid thrills. If Jack was fiction, who made him up? 

River (2005) - Exclusive to BritBox 

John River is a brilliant detective whose fractured mind traps him between the living and the dead. Starring Stellan Skarsgård, Nicola Walker and Lesley Manville. 

Legend (2015)

A fictional account of the Krays brothers, Legend tells the story of the rise and fall of Reggie and Ronnie - both portrayed by Tom Hardy - in a powerhouse double performance. 

Britain’s Forgotten Serial Killer: Trevor Hardy (2017)

This documentary explores the motivations behind Trevor Hardy, known as the ‘Beast of Manchester’ - a convicted serial killer who murdered three teenage girls in the Manchester area between December 1974 and March 1976. 

13th May

Secrets of the Krays (2021) - Exclusive to BritBox 

An in-depth look at the most famous gangsters in British history; Secrets of the Krays will feature revelatory interviews with those who knew the Krays best, including former gang members, relatives and family friends, as well as celebrity photographer and friend David Bailey, the Krays’ lawyers, and police officers involved in bringing them to justice.  

Many have never spoken before – including Micky Fawcett who was a key member of “The Firm” from its early days.  

The documentary will also unveil never-before-seen artefacts, including Reggie’s personal scrapbook documenting the brothers’ crimes, Reggie’s personal photographs, audio recordings from prison, a poem from Ronnie to Reggie, and two unpublished manuscripts from former gang members – as well as MI5 files on the Krays.  

English National Opera Collection (various) 

The English National Opera’s productions of Carmen, La Traviata, The Barber of Seville, The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and Benvenuto Cellina will be added to BritBox’s Centre Stage collection. 

Sam and Billie: The Mummy Diaries Series 9 (2021)

The Faiers sisters are back. Following the success of the previous series, Sam and sister Billie throw open their doors once again for a ninth instalment of the reality series, as they continue to juggle motherhood with life in the public eye. 

Midsomer Murders Series 21 episodes 3&4 (2020)

The final two episodes of the series broadcast last year. Inspector Barnaby investigates murder mysteries in Middle England.

New Tricks Series 1&2 (2003-2005) 

The first two series of the drama about a police unit, made up of retired detectives and a long-suffering boss, looking at unsolved crimes. Starring Larry Lamb, Tamzin Outhwaite and Denis Lawson. 

Fergie's Killer Dresser: The Jane Andrews Story (2021)

In 2000, former royal dresser Jane Andrews’ murder of Tom Cressman shocked and fascinated Britain in equal measure. This is the definitive account of Jane’s rise and fall. 

20th May

Da Ali G Show (2000) 

Provocateur Sacha Baron Cohen dons the personae of hapless rapper Ali G, goofy journalist Borat and flamboyant Austrian Brüno and interviews unsuspecting guests, often goading them into embarrassing situations.

Wycliffe Series 1&2 (1994-1995) 

Detective Superintendent Wycliffe heads an investigating team of officers brought in to solve the most intriguing of murder cases on the magnificent and windswept Cornish coast in the far South-West of England. Starring Jack Shepherd, Jimmy Yuill and Helen Masters. 

The City and The City (2018)

David Morrissey stars in this adaptation of China Miéville's mind-bending novel. Very different cities Ul Qoma and Besźel share the same space – and a dangerous and volatile relationship.

27th May

The Beast Must Die episodes 1&2 (2021) - Exclusive to BritBox 

The Beast Must Die is a five part revenge thriller which tells the story of a grieving mother who infiltrates the life of the man she believes killed her son. The stellar cast includes Bafta, Golden Globe & Emmy nominated Jared Harris, Cush Jumbo OBE, Billy Howle, Nathaniel Parker, Geraldine James, Maeve Dermody and newcomers Mia Tomlinson and Barney Sayburn. 

Midsomer Murders Series 22 episodes 1&2 (2021)

The most recent two episodes of Midsomer Murders starring Neil Dugeon and Nick Hendrix.

Dead Pixels Series 2 (2021)

Bored office workers Meg (Alexa Davies), Usman (Sargon Yelda) and Nicky (Will Merrick) are back and just as addicted to fictional massive multiplayer online role-playing game Kingdom Scrolls.

Adult Material (2020)

The series stars Hayley Squires as British pornstar Jolene Dollar who is juggling her on-screen sex work with the reality of motherhood at home. Rupert Everett also features as Dollar’s producer Carroll.

The Runaway (2011)

A period thriller set in the sleazy streets of London’s Soho in the 1960s and the mean streets of New York, with an outstanding British cast including Alan Cumming.

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Editor notes:

About BritBox

BritBox is a digital video subscription service created by the BBC and ITV. The service brings the very best in past, present and future British programming and award-winning content to viewers all in one place for £5.99 per month in HD. British TV boxsets from All 4 and British films from Film 4 are also available. The service includes high quality factual and entertainment content from Channel 5 plus original British comedies from Comedy Central UK. BritBox features the biggest collection of British content available on any streaming service, and brand new commissions for British production companies specifically created for BritBox. BritBox also offers expert curation and playlists that will enable viewers to easily find programmes they know and discover new favourites  via web, mobile, tablet, connected TVs and streaming devices including Fire TV, Apple TV, Freesat & Chromecast. Content on BritBox can be downloaded and viewed offline where rights allow.