Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley

Lucy Worsley investigates the crimes of Maria Manning, the ‘Lady Macbeth of Bermondsey’, who in 1849, scandalized Victorian London. Maria was accused of conspiring with her husband to kill her lover and steal the dead man’s money before going on the run. Lucy is joined by literary superstar Kate Mosse and historian Professor Rosalind Crone to untangle this remarkable story.

Human Rights Activist Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts joins Lucy Worsley to uncover the 1896 murder of a First Nations child and highlights the ongoing trauma and impact of Australia’s Stolen Generations. Professor Rosalind Crone travels to Australia’s east coast to find out more about six-year-old ‘Cassey’ and her tragic death at the hands of a Mission School’s matron Marie Christensen.

Lucy Worsley uncovers a case of infanticide in 1860s Belfast involving a mother and daughter with a big secret. 19-year-old Ann Boyd was unmarried and in labor with a mother who would do anything to keep it secret. Discussing the case is Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan while historian Professor Rosalind Crone travels to Ireland to learn more.

In August 1867, Frances Kidder took her 11-year-old stepdaughter Louisa for a walk across lonely wetlands. The child was later found dead. Lucy Worsley and historian Professor Rosalind Crone visit the scene of the crime in Kent to find out more and are joined by Dr Gwen Adshead, a renowned psychiatrist and psychotherapist at the notorious Broadmoor Hospital to discuss the case.

Lucy Worsley uncovers the story of Mary Surratt, a pious widow and mother, who faced a death sentence for conspiring to murder President Abraham Lincoln. Lucy is joined by Evy Poumpouras, former special agent with the Secret Service, who protected five US presidents while Dr Nikki M Taylor, Professor of History at Howard University, travels to Ford’s Theatre and the Surratt House Museum.

Lucy Worsley travels to Devon, to investigate the death of a young servant girl on a remote farm. She is joined by guest detective Baroness Helena Kennedy, a leading barrister and human rights expert plus Professor Rosalind Crone from the Open University. They discuss whether Sarah Bird, a young farmer’s wife and the mother of four children could really be capable of this brutal murder?

Lucy Worsley uncovers the story of Alice Mitchell who in 1892 killed her former girlfriend, 17-year-old Freda Ward, in Memphis after a stormy and illicit relationship. Lucy is joined by Cameron Esposito, stand-up comic, actor, author and host of the hit Queery podcast and author and historian Alexis Coe. They discuss the case and what it tells us about LGBTQ+ women’s lives then and now.

Lucy Worsley investigates the case of Mary Ann Brough who in 1854 commits a desperate and drastic crime while trying to secure custody of her children. Lucy is joined by Alexandra Wilson, a barrister specializing in criminal and family law. Alongside Professor Rosalind Crone, Lucy visits the Surrey village Mary Ann lived in and wonders if custody disputes have really changed?