Sky News is launching Backstory, a new video-first podcast series with Cathy Newman. Cathy interviews guests who were at the heart of some of the most defining stories of recent history, to examine what happened, why it mattered and how we understand those events today.

Launching on 12 November, Backstory will see Cathy sit down each week with a guest personally connected to a major news event from recent history, returning to stories that changed public debate, challenged institutions and shaped the world around us. Within the conversation, Cathy will hear from listeners and viewers about their own personal connection to the story, and why it still matters to them today.

The first series will feature: 

• James Graham, acclaimed playwright and creator of Sherwood, which explored the lasting impact of the miners’ strikes on former mining communities, discussing the miners’ strikes of 1984-85
• Jo Hamilton, subpostmaster, campaigner, and victim of the Post Office scandal whose story featured in the TV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office, on the scandal and her fight for justice 
• Dame Jenny Harries, the former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England who became a familiar face at the government’s COVID lockdown briefings, and former Chief Executive of The UK Health Security Agency, reflecting on lockdown and what that could mean for future pandemics
• Kate Adie, veteran journalist and broadcaster known for her frontline reporting, including from Tiananmen Square during the 1989 protests, reflecting on the events and discussing China today
• Don McCullin, one of the great war photographers, with a career spanning seven decades documenting conflict and tragedy, revisiting the Vietnam War and examining how conflict reporting has changed
• Zelda Perkins, former personal assistant to Harvey Weinstein, on breaking her non-disclosure agreement to expose the systemic abuse and misconduct

Drawing on her experience as an award-winning investigative journalist and interviewer, Cathy will explore how some of the biggest news stories have shifted public opinion and left an indelible mark on modern history, and, for some, bring in her own memories of covering the stories.

Cathy Newman, Presenter, Sky News, said: “The stories we remember aren't frozen in time. Our understanding of them changes as new facts emerge and we see more clearly the impact they had. Backstory is a chance to sit down with people who were there and revisit some of those defining moments with the benefit of hindsight. I want to understand not just what happened, but what we know now that we didn't know then, and what these stories can tell us about the world today.”

Filmed in Cathy's Westminster studio, with the pink velvet sofas familiar to viewers of The Cathy Newman Show, Backstory will publish every Thursday morning. Episodes will be available to watch on the Sky News YouTube channel and to listen to wherever you get your podcasts.

Jonathan Levy, Managing Director and Executive Editor, Sky News, said: “Audiences increasingly want to spend more time with the people and stories behind the news. Backstory gives them that opportunity, bringing Cathy's journalism and interviewing to a format built for deeper, direct engagement. It's also part of our continued investment in video and podcasts, giving new audiences more ways to discover Sky News journalism and building communities around the stories they care about.”

Backstory joins Sky News’ growing podcast line-up, which saw its followers grow by a third between January and 30th October 2026, alongside Electoral Dysfunction, Trump 100, This Is Why, Politics at Sam and Anne’s, Cheat Sheet and Stuff Matters. The growth reflects strong audience engagement with Sky News podcasts as it continues to expand its slate with new, talent-led series, alongside exclusive content available through Sky News Insider: Podcasts.

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Please contact for further information or enquires: Tatiana.alderson@sky.uk orsian.parry@sky.uk