About This Episode
Bad People, a BBC Studios Audio production now hosted by criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw and journalist Amber Haque, returns with a 20-part series exploring some of Britain's most complex criminal cases. Released weekly on Thursdays across multiple platforms, the podcast combines forensic analysis with intimate victim interviews.
The revamped series represents a shift from its original format, which featured stand-up comedian Sofie Hagen alongside Dr Shaw and employed dark humour alongside evidence-based analysis. The new iteration maintains the rigorous psychological approach while expanding its investigative scope.
Notable Cases Under Examination
The podcast has tackled some of the most significant criminal cases in recent British history. The Sarah Everard case receives detailed examination, focusing on former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, who kidnapped, raped and murdered the 33-year-old in March 2021. The episode draws on findings from The Angiolini Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Another featured case involves Cecilie Fjellhoy, a victim of the high-profile romance fraud scheme orchestrated by Shimon Hayut, operating under the alias Simon Leviev. Fjellhoy lost nearly $200,000 in the scam and appears as an interviewed guest, providing first-hand perspective on the psychological manipulation involved.
The podcast also examines the Sunderland serial murders, a case involving three boys from the same school discovered dead in the early 1990s. Initially, authorities attributed the deaths to glue-sniffing, but Steven Grieveson was later convicted of serial murder, demonstrating how criminal investigations can initially miss crucial evidence.
Other cases featured include the Tinder Swindler saga, the extraordinary circumstances surrounding footballer Faye Dunn's discovery of her father's involvement in organised crime—part of the largest organised crime bust in British history in 2020—and a prison smuggling plot involving a mental health nurse and a convicted criminal.
Thematic Focus
Beyond individual cases, Bad People explores broader criminological themes: the psychology of both victims and offenders, criminal investigation procedures, gender bias in sentencing, and the mechanisms behind serious crimes including murder, blackmail and fraud. This thematic approach allows listeners to understand not just what happened, but why and how the criminal justice system responds.
Dr Julia Shaw's expertise in criminal psychology grounds each episode in evidence-based analysis rather than sensationalism. The addition of Amber Haque's investigative journalism background brings documentary-style rigor to case examination, with direct interviews providing authentic context.
Accessibility
Bad People is available on multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts (subscription at $4.49 monthly or $49.99 annually), Spotify, BBC Sounds, iHeart Radio and YouTube. The Thursday release schedule provides consistent, regular content for international audiences seeking in-depth true crime analysis.
The podcast serves listeners interested in understanding the intersection of psychology, crime and justice—moving beyond tabloid narratives to examine the complex human factors underlying serious criminal behaviour.
Sources
https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/interesting-ethical-conversations
https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/revamped-bbc-true-crime-podcast-bad-people-returns-for-new-series/
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/bad-people/id1524768655
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/20-bad-people-209743716/
https://open.spotify.com/show/2adOK9JUNEw43zmP5Kile8
