Portillo's State Secrets: Series 1

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History, Sociopolitical Documentary hosted by Michael Portillo, published by BBC in 2015 - English narration

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Portillo’s State Secrets: Series 1 Michael Portillo trawls through the National Archives at Kew in south-west London to dig out stories from previously classified documents.

[edit] Crime and Punishment

In the first episode, he unearths the secret files of Britain's last hangman, explores private letters sent to Sherlock Holmes, and examines the hidden history of murderer Dr Crippen

[edit] Tyrants

Michael Portillo continues his trawl through the National Archives, unearthing Hitler's hidden medical files, examining the Christmas cards sent to an African dictator, and revealing the details of an incredible shopping list by Henry VIII

[edit] Celebrity and Scandals

Michael Portillo unearths documents from the National Archives revealing the secret war on the Rolling Stones and how Special Branch spied on a future king. He also meets Oscar Wilde's only grandson to discuss his decline and disgrace.

[edit] Mysteries

Michael Portillo unearths documents from the National Archives revealing the original letter that gave birth to Jack the Ripper, the mysterious disappearance of a wartime hero and the secret UFO files kept by the Ministry of Defence.

[edit] Sport and Politics

Portillo unearths documents from the National Archives revealing why Britain didn't boycott Hitler's Olympics, Churchill's attempt to ban the world's first black heavyweight champion, and a royal proclamation to ban football.

[edit] Traitors and Spies

Michael unearths the documents that show a king's role in a brutal torture, reads the files behind James Bond's secret wartime origins, and investigates how a double agent's escape at the height of the Cold War was a comedy of errors.

[edit] Monarchy

Portillo unearths the Queen's secret speech announcing the beginning of World War Three looks at the fabulous wealth of our most tragic king and reveals the nine lives of Queen Victoria.

[edit] Banned

Michael Portillo unearths the state's strategy on Scientology, explores how bull running was banned in Britain, and takes a sneaky peak at John Lennon's dirty pictures

[edit] On Trial

Michael Portillo investigates how Mary Whitehouse defended God in a court of law, reveals details of the last woman to be imprisoned under the Witchcraft Acts and unearths documents that reveal the Church's shameful role in slavery.

[edit] National Security

Michael Portillo unearths the secret memos behind the SAS's most daring raid, investigates a bloody conspiracy to overthrow the government, and looks at how Churchill thought the unthinkable in the wake of defeating the Nazis.