The Troubles: A Secret History

Synopsis

In a landmark 7-part series, Spotlight - Northern Ireland’s leading team of investigative journalists - reveal important new discoveries about the conflict known as the Troubles, in the 50th anniversary of the deployment of British troops to Northern Ireland.

First Air Date: 2019-09-10

Last Air Date: 2019-10-24

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 8

Networks: BBC Four

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Jennifer O'Leary as Herself - Reporter
Mandy McAuley as Herself - Reporter
Darragh MacIntyre as Himself - Reporter

Seasons

Season 1 (2019)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Episode 1 (2019-09-10)

Northern Ireland’s leading team of investigative journalists reveal important new discoveries about the outbreak of the conflict known as the Troubles, 50 years after troops were deployed.
Ep. 2: Episode 2 (2019-09-17)

New revelations about how the IRA went from anticipating victory to fighting a bloody, long war against Britain, with Gerry Adams emerging as the republican leader of his time.
Ep. 3: Episode 3 (2019-09-24)

Jennifer O’Leary uncovers IRA arms connections around the world and charts how republicans built a political strategy in parallel with their armed campaign.
Ep. 4: Episode 4 (2019-10-01)

At the end of the Seventies, the IRA built its own internal security system to root out informers. But British intelligence found a fatal flaw that unlocked many of the IRA’s secrets.
Ep. 5: Episode 5 (2019-10-08)

Unionist anger grew as IRA attacks on the security forces killed members of their community. When Margaret Thatcher signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, giving the Republic of Ireland political influence in the North, the anger spilled over leading to loyalist groups rearming. Using intelligence leaks to boost their campaign of killing, new information reveals MI5 agents operating inside the largest loyalist group, the Ulster Defence Association.
Ep. 6: Episode 6 (2019-10-15)

An investigation into the murders of two young brothers uncovers secrets from the loyalist gang that carried out the attack.
Ep. 7: Episode 7 (2019-10-22)

The inside story of how the Troubles ended told by those who fought the IRA's war and by those at the heart of peace efforts.
Ep. 8: Behind The Scenes (2019-10-24)

A behind-the-scenes look at how investigative journalists in Northern Ireland track down stories, uncover secret papers and persuade people to speak out.