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Evil Genius with Russell Kane — History
Evil Genius with Russell Kane

It’s good, bad, ugly – and very very funny. Changing the way we see heroes and villains in history.

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2024

Latest Episodes:

Series 12: F. Scott Fitzgerald May 06, 2026

Show notes

The poster boy for yearning, F. Scott Fitzgerald came to epitomise the American dream. But is the author of The Great Gatsby really so great after all? Pierre Novellie, Rachel Fairburn and Slim dive between the covers and find some red flags in the roaring twenties.

Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne and Katie Sayer Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

Series 12: Brigitte Bardot Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

The original pin-up, Brigitte Bardot enchanted audiences in France and around the world. But in later life, was her concern with rights - both “animal” and “far” - at odds with her liberated image? Via Playboy, farting on trains, and optimistically flashing an areola, Lindsey Santoro, Hasan Al Habib, and Alexandra Haddow must decide - was Brigitte Bardot evil, or a genius?

Additional material: Christina Riggs and Katie Sayer Researcher: Christina Riggs Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Series 12: Colonel Sanders Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

To fast food fans, he’s a deity. To chickens, he’s public enemy number one. But there’s more to Colonel Sanders than just that secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. Josh Jones, Laura Smyth and chef Ruby Bhogal take a deep dive into the Colonel’s life - and find gunfights, court cases, and an unexpected detour into gynaecology. Was Colonel Sanders evil or a genius?

Additional material: Christina Riggs, Ruth Husko and Katie Sayer Researcher: Christina Riggs Recording Engineer: Dan Nagy Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Series 12: Lord Lucan Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

It’s one of the most famous missing persons cases of all time, and has baffled detectives for over 50 years. So will Russell Kane and co fare any better at getting to the truth about Lord Lucan? Rachel Fairburn, Pierre Novellie and Slim help in the hunt for the missing aristocrat, via luxuriant moustaches, northern tea and soggy biscuit.

Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne and Katie Sayer Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Series 12: Nancy Mitford Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Satirist, socialite, and Bright Young Thing Nancy Mitford led a life that was almost as scandalous as the contents of one of her novels. But was she just an art-deco Kardashian with a talent for typing and a complicated family? Or did her way with words disguise a deeper ruthlessness within? Laura Smyth, Josh Jones, and Sunday Times Fiction Editor Laura Hackett are tasked with diving between the covers to decide - was Nancy Mitford: Evil, or Genius?

Additional material: Christina Riggs and Katie Sayer Researcher: Christina Riggs Recording Engineer: Dan Nagy Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Series 12: Ozzy Osbourne Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

The Godfather of heavy metal, a legendary reality star and Birmingham’s favourite son - Ozzy Osbourne certainly has the makings of a genius. But was there something darker lurking beneath the leather trench coat? Lindsey Santoro, Hasan Al Habib, and Alexandra Haddow are tasked with examining whether the Prince of Darkness lives up to his name.

Additional material: Christina Riggs, Ruth Husko and Katie Sayer Researcher: Christina Riggs Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals, Series 2: Sea Otters Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests deep dive those fluffy marine mammals – sea otters. They may look cute and cuddly, but with their strong teeth and powerful bite, there’s more to them than meets the eye.

Helping Russell decide whether sea otters are evil or genius are comedian, writer and actress Laura Smyth and Dr. Natalie Cooper, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum.

Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals, Series 2: Spiders Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on spiders. Consistently ranked amongst the most creepy and crawly, we ask are spiders abusive arachnids or kooky cuties?

Helping Russell decide whether spiders are evil or genius are top comedian Josh Jones and leading entomologist & England Manager for Buglife, Dr. Karim Vahed.

Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals, Series 2: Herring Gulls Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests deep dive our seaside favourite – the Herring Gull. Is this bird a Flapping Felon or a proper paid-up member of the Coastal Carb Clean-up Crew?

Helping Russell decide whether Herring Gulls are evil or genius are comedian Jordan Gray and scientist Holly Dominique.

Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Nick Thackeray-Cron Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals, Series 2: Sharks Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on sharks. Is this apex predator a Fin-credible Hulk or deep-sea demon? Helping Russell decide whether sharks are evil or genius are comedian Susie McCabe and zoologist Billy Heaney.

Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

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