Portillo's State Secrets

Synopsis

Michael Portillo takes a look through the national archives to discover different stories that have been hidden in previously classified documents.

First Air Date: 2015-03-23

Last Air Date: 2015-04-03

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 10

Networks: BBC Two

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Michael Portillo as Self - Host

Seasons

Season 1 (2015)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Crime and Punishment (2015-03-23)

Michael discovers the secret files of Britain's last hangman, takes a look at private letters sent to Sherlock Holmes, and examines the hidden history of murderer Dr Crippen.
Ep. 2: Tyrants (2015-03-24)

Michael discovers Hitler's hidden medical files and looks at the Christmas cards sent to an African dictator. He also finds the details of an incredible shopping list by Henry VIII.
Ep. 3: Celebrity and Scandals (2015-03-25)

Michael finds out about the secret war on the Rolling Stones and how Special Branch spied on a future king.
Ep. 4: Mysteries (2015-03-26)

Michael learns about the original letter that gave birth to Jack the Ripper and he also finds out about the mysterious disappearance of a wartime hero.
Ep. 5: Sport and Politics (2015-03-27)

Michael learns about the secret documents that show why the country didn’t boycott Hitler’s Olympics and he finds out about Churchill’s attempt to ban the world’s first black heavyweight champion.
Ep. 6: Traitors and Spies (2015-03-30)

Michael learns about the secret documents that relate to some of the country's traitors.
Ep. 7: Monarchy (2015-03-31)

Michael takes a look at files from the National Archives that relate to the monarchy as he learns about a speech that would have been read by the Queen in the event of a Third World War happening.
Ep. 8: Banned (2015-04-01)

Michael finds out about the state’s strategy on Scientology and learns how bull running was banned in the United Kingdom.
Ep. 9: On Trial (2015-04-02)

Michael takes a look at how Mary Whitehouse defended God in a court of law and learns more about the last woman to be imprisoned under the Witchcraft Acts.
Ep. 10: National Security (2015-04-03)

Michael finds out the secret memos behind the SAS’s most daring raid and takes a look at a bloody conspiracy to overthrow the government.