Sky bolsters factual offering with a raft of new content for Sky Documentaries

Sky today announced five new Sky original documentaries to sit on the recently launched Sky Documentaries, reinforcing its ambition to provide customers with a destination for world class, premium factual TV.

The new documentaries include John Lennon – ‘Let Me Take You Down’, an in-depth investigation into the murder of the global icon, with in depth access to his killer, Mark Chapman. The Wimbledon Kidnapping tells the story of one of the most infamous cases of mistaken identity, with tragic consequences, in the UK’s first kidnapping case.

Two powerful football documentaries include Micah Richards: Tackling Racism in which the Premier League footballer explores the true scale of the racism problem in British football, and what can be done about it. The Law Man will chart the rise of one of the first superstar footballers, Denis Law. Finally, Sir Stirling Moss, The Uncrowned King of F1, is a feature length film, will explore the life, career and legacy of the Formula 1 legend.

Sky’s Director of Factual, Poppy Dixon, said: “Since joining Sky a matter of months ago, I’ve been thrilled by the breadth of ambition for our brand-new factual channels. These five films join an already incredible slate of content which I look forward to building on in the coming weeks and months. The range of subjects and tones featured in these announcements are just a taste of what I hope to explore on Sky Documentaries in the future.”

Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, alongside the rebranded Sky HISTORY launched this May as the home of exclusives documentaries, for all Sky and NOW TV customers at no extra cost. The services offer on demand libraries with hundreds of hours of factual programming, providing an unmissable mix of premium, original commissions and acquired content.

The new shows are in pre-production or production and will air in late 2020 or throughout 2021.

Show information and credits:

John Lennon- ‘Let Me Take You Down’ (1 x 90’)

Sky Documentaries and NOW TV. A Sky original documentary produced by Zig Zag Productions.

‘John Lennon - Let me take you down’ provides an incisive exploration into Lennon’s life, career and the nature and power of his celebrity. Jack Jones, the journalist who has been the confidant of Mark David Chapman - Lennon’s killer - for nearly 40 years, explores the nature of his fateful obsession and the strange parallels between John Lennon and Chapman alongside the events that led to their deadly meeting in 1980. Knitted together with compelling narration, colourful archive of Lennon’s life and career, and an exclusive interview with Chapman, we celebrate Lennon while getting to the roots of Chapman’s dangerous obsession.

Executive producers are Danny Fenton and Matt Graff for Zig Zag Productions and Mark Vennis for Moviehouse Entertainment. William E. Badgely will direct for Molasses Manifesto. Commissioned by Jamie Morris, Director of Programme Strategy.

The Wimbledon Kidnapping (1 x 90’)

Sky Documentaries and NOW TV. A Sky original documentary produced by Caravan.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the trial of the first ever kidnap and ransom case in Britain. Now, one of those convicted in this extraordinary crime story speaks for the first time. The mysterious disappearance of Muriel McKay took place on 29th December 1969 in Wimbledon. Kidnapping was an unheard-of crime in the UK, and such was the strangeness of the case that everyone from the police, Fleet Street and hundreds of clairvoyants struggled to decipher the respectable 55-year-old housewife’s disappearance from her home, five minutes’ walk from Wimbledon tennis. Taking place in the last days of the 1960s ––a decade defined by the rise of a new tabloid press, of challenge to the established social order and the arrival of the Windrush generation - two immigrants from Trinidad were convicted of Muriel McKay’s murder - this case is permeated with the fault lines of change in British society at that time.

Produced by Caravan. Executive Producers Dinah Lord/Joanna Bartholomew, Director Kevin Sim. Commissioned by Poppy Dixon, Sky’s Director of Factual

The Law Man (1 x 60’)

Sky Documentaries and NOW TV. A Sky original documentary produced by Buzz 16 Productions.

A tribute to the legendary footballer Denis Law featuring interviews from his teammates, his contemporaries, his friends and his family. Naturally focused heavily on his Manchester United career where he earned the title – The King -, we also explore his childhood in Aberdeen, spells at Huddersfield, Torino and Manchester City as well as his International career. He is one of the most loved and most inspiring characters ever to play the game, and we show how this owes as much to Denis the man as Denis the goal scorer.

Produced by Buzz 16. Executive Producer: Scott Melvin, Producer/Director: Nick Mattingly, Producer:  Adam Chenery. Commissioned by Jamie Morris, Director of Programme Strategy.

Micah Richards – Tackling Racism (1 x 60’)

Sky Documentaries and NOW TV. A Sky original documentary produced by Buzz 16 Productions.

Former Manchester City and England footballer, Micah Richards, investigates the alarming rise of racism directed at footballers, and fans. From abuse at games to rising levels online – we cover all the areas this disease is spreading. Speaking to anti-racism organisation Kick It Out, top premier league players, supporters and the tech giants responsible for managing and policing the online community.

Produced by Buzz 16 in association with New Stance Executive Producer: Scott Melvin, Producer/Director: Nick Mattingly, Producer: Mark Keisner. Commissioned by Jamie Morris, Director of Programme Strategy.

Sir Stirling Moss, The Uncrowned King of F1 (W/T) (1 x 90’)

Sky Documentaries and NOW TV. A Sky original feature documentary produced by Minnow Films.

Sir Stirling Moss is one of the most recognisable names in British sport, but few people know much more about him than his famous name. Following his death earlier this year, this film will tell his story in an expansive, engaging and often surprising way. Through the glorious archive of Moss on the track and at home, and powerful interviews this will aim to be a moving and essential documentary about the racing legend. This film will be steeped in the sights and sounds of the golden age of British Formula One: the squeal of Dunlop tyres, the roar of a Lotus’s engine, and the nail-biting excitement of the F1 circuit. In archive, we'll track Moss's meteoric rise from teenage racing prodigy to Britain's first sports superstar, a story encompassing landmark triumphs and devastating tragedies; with Moss's career sadly cut short at Goodwood in 1962 following a spectacular crash that left him in a coma for 38 days.

Produced by Minnow Films. Executive Producers: Morgan Matthews & Grace Reynolds, Director: Francis Longhurst, Producer: Saskia Smith. Commissioned by Jamie Morris, Director of Programme Strategy.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Luke.seraphin@sky.uk

About Sky

With 24 million customers across seven countries, Sky is Europe’s leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of the Comcast group. Our 31,000 employees help connect our customers with the very best of Sports, News, the arts and to our own local, original content. Following the success of Sky originals like Chernobyl, Patrick Melrose, Das Boot and Gomorrah we launched Sky Studios and now plan to more than double our investment in original drama and comedy over the next five years.

Our technology allows customers to watch what they want, when they want, how they want, and as we connect millions of families to content they love, it is our responsibility to do it safely – that’s why we offer services like Sky Broadband Buddy and the Sky Kids app. And our online streaming service, NOW TV, brings viewers all the enjoyment of Sky with the flexibility of a contract-free service.

We also believe that a company of our scale has a responsibility that goes beyond our business, and into the community. Our Sky Ocean Rescue campaign has reached millions across Europe, we’re on track to be free of single-use plastic by 2020, we’re investing £25million over five years in ocean-saving tech and we’re a proud employer – recognised by The Times and Stonewall for our approach to inclusivity.

About NOW TV  

NOW TV is a leading UK streaming service, giving you the best TV, box sets, movies, sports and kids entertainment whenever, and wherever, you want it. Pick from the range of content passes including Entertainment, Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Kids and reality TV with hayu.

You can stream content to watch through the NOW TV app, available on over 60 devices including the NOW TV Smart Stick and even download your favourite shows and movies to watch on the go.

NOW TV is the home of the best new and original British comedies, Oscar, BAFTA, and Emmy award winning dramas, Sky originals and movies. NOW TV customers can enjoy over 30 new movies every month and Sky Atlantic shows, without a contract.

Sports fans can enjoy all the action across all 11 Sky Sports channels through day or month passes.

NOW TV also offers great value reliable broadband as a standalone contract-free service with NOW Broadband.

For more information, visit nowtv.com

For the latest special offers visit nowtv.com/offers

Follow us atfacebook.com/NOWTV

Check out our latest videos and pictures at Instagram.com/NOWTV

Join the conversation on twitter @NOWTV