British Gangsters: Faces of the Underworld
Villains, gangsters or "Faces" as they prefer to be called, are the men, gang and family members who have made headlines over the past 50 years for all the wrong reasons. Some are household names: the Krays, the Richardsons, Paul Ferris, Frankie Fraser, Arthur Thompson and Vic Dark. Many you will not recognise, but the mere mention of these people has struck fear into individuals and entire communities. Despite their notoriety, the faces of Britain's most feared criminals remain largely unknown. That is until now. British Gangsters: Faces of the Underworld gives a unique insider's insight into these men. Presented by Bernard O'Mahoney, best-selling true crime author and former member of the Essex Boys Firm, Britain's most infamous and influential 'faces' are interviewed for the first time, many of whom have never appeared on camera before.
- 2012-2015
- 2 seasons
- Documentary, Suspense
Villains, gangsters or "Faces" as they prefer to be called, are the men, gang and family members who have made headlines over the past 50 years for all the wrong reasons. Some are household names: the Krays, the Richardsons, Paul Ferris, Frankie Fraser, Arthur Thompson and Vic Dark. Many you will not recognise, but the mere mention of these people has struck fear into individuals and entire communities. Despite their notoriety, the faces of Britain's most feared criminals remain largely unknown. That is until now. British Gangsters: Faces of the Underworld gives a unique insider's insight into these men. Presented by Bernard O'Mahoney, best-selling true crime author and former member of the Essex Boys Firm, Britain's most infamous and influential 'faces' are interviewed for the first time, many of whom have never appeared on camera before.
Season 2 Episode Guide
8 Episodes
Episode 1
Liverpool
44 mins
The famous port's wealthy history has contributed to the prosperous underworld within, where the likes of Charlie Seiga, Curtis Warren and Shaun Smith thrived.
Episode 2
Birmingham
43 mins
Looks back at the notorious Peaky Blinders, the flourishing gang culture in the sixties with links to the Krays, and how this culture continues today.
Episode 3
Alternative Ulster
45 mins
We cross the Irish Sea where the stories take a more political and intense turn. The troubles between Britain and Ireland date back to the 12th Century, when the Catholics sought to sever all ties with Britain but the Protestants were keen to remain under British rule. We explore the infiltration of drugs into Ireland plus the relationship between terrorists, politics and organised crime.
Episode 4
Essex
44 mins
Welcome to Essex, the cradle of rave party culture in the UK. With a huge existing club scene and an entrepreneurial culture, it was the natural environment for the rave culture and new and old criminals could see that there was a fortune to made. In episode 4, Bernard O'Mahoney explores the consequences of crime in what went on to become one of Britain's most notorious crime regions.
Episode 5
Live by the Sword
44 mins
In episode 5, Bernard O'Mahoney explores the injustices suffered by those who have somewhat unwittingly surrounded themselves by criminals. Do these people deserve to become victims of a sometimes flawed judicial system because of an association with the wrong people and should society turn its back on them?
Episode 6
Die by the Sword
44 mins
When innocent people are jailed for crimes they did not commit, what effect does it have on their lives and the lives of their loved ones? Can any amount of compensation be enough to make things right? Bernard O'Mahoney looks into the effects of major miscarriages of justice in episode 6, where he talks to a victim one of the most high-profile cases in UK crime history, The Birmingham Six.
Episode 7
My Generation
44 mins
Bernard O'Mahoney looks at the effect of time on gangs and their origins in episode 7. Whether it be organised motorcycle groups or Irish travellers, the roots are dying out with every new generation, but how does this affect the older and more traditional members?
Episode 8
Cons to Icons
45 mins
In the final episode of the series, Bernard O'Mahoney explores the minefield that is the media and how its influence has been used to build celebrities out of men, without checking facts. Is it possible to create a gangland persona based purely on a false reputation built by the press? Yes, but there are certain to be extremely costly consequences...