New two-part true crime documentary, OUTBACK TERROR: THE FALCONIO MURDER, aims to shed new light on a case that continues to intrigue on both sides of the world
New 2x60’ doc from Prospero Productions will air 25 years after Peter Falconio’s tragic murder
UKTV, Screenwest, and Screen Australia can announce Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder, a new two-part true crime documentary from Western Australian production company, Prospero Productions, has been greenlit for production.
The 2x60’ documentary will be available on the free streaming service,and air on U&W in the UK, with international distribution by Sphere Abacus. Its Australian broadcast will be announced later this year.
The Outback encounter that led to the murder of Peter Falconio, and Joanne Lees’ dramatic escape from Bradley John Murdoch, is a story that reverberated on both sides of the world.
On the night of 14th July 2001, a single gunshot ended Peter’s life and sent Joanne running for hers – until hours later, a passing truck picked her up on a remote stretch of highway. But with Peter’s body never recovered, Joanne’s account of what happened was met with doubt, triggering intense police interrogation and relentless media scrutiny.
Eventually, a DNA breakthrough led to the arrest and conviction of Bradley Murdoch. Though found guilty, Murdoch maintained his innocence to the end, dying in prison just last year without revealing the details of his crime. Despite repeated appeals and rewards for information, Peter’s body has never been recovered and remains lost to the vast land mass in the centre of Australia.
Now, almost 25 years later,Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder returns to the crime scene with two of the world’s leading investigative specialists; a world expert in no-body homicides, and a former FBI Profiler. They will re-examine Murdoch's life, his offending, his criminal profile, and pre and post offending behaviours. Using cutting edge technology and the latest forensic techniques, they will work to uncover new insights into Murdoch’s motives and attempt to determine where Peter is buried.
Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder has been commissioned for UKTV by Commissioning Executive, Tracy-Jean with Helen Nightingale, Head of Factual and Factual Entertainment, and ordered for U and U&W by Director of Programming, Factual & Factual Entertainment, Adam Collings and Director of Commissioning, Hilary Rosen. Executive Producers for Prospero Productions are Julia Redwood and Jules Fortune. Senior Series Producer is Charlotte Hobson and Producers are Julia Redwood and Emma Wilkes.
"The team have approached this documentary with the care, curiosity and sensitivity it deserves"
UKTV’s Tracy-Jean said: “As an Australian living in the UK, I remember the years that this was front page news, so needed the right reason to resurface such a tragic situation. What Prospero offered in revisiting the scene and the story 25 years on, is a window into Joanne’s incredible courage, a new perspective on Murdoch’s mindset and an attempt to bring some comfort to those who are still missing Peter. From its inception, the team have approached this documentary with the care, curiosity and sensitivity it deserves.”
UKTV’s Adam Collings commented: “True crime is becoming an increasing part of our exclusive factual offering, both on demand on U and on linear on U&W, and I’m pleased that we can add a brand new look at one of the most compelling true crime cases of the last 25 years.”
"Few stories have captured both British and Australian audiences quite like the murder of Peter Falconio 25 years ago."
Prospero Productions owner, Managing Director and Executive Producer Julia Redwood said, “Few stories have captured both British and Australian audiences quite like the murder of Peter Falconio 25 years ago. In Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder we bring together world-leading experts to re-examine the case through a modern lens, shedding new light on a case that has been plagued by misinformation and conspiracy theories.”
Screen Australia Head of Documentary, Richard Huddleston said, “In Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder, led by Julia Redwood, the experienced Prospero Productions team explore how cutting edge technology has the potential to shed new light on a case that continues to intrigue people the world over.”
Screenwest Head of Industry Development, Gabrielle Cole said, “In Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder, Prospero Productions brings experts together to explore how modern technology could help provide clarity to a case that continues to resonate.”
For more information, please contact:
Dave Barnsby, Senior Publicity Manager, UKTV
Lauren Mutimer, Publicist, UKTV
Lauren Elliott, Public Relations Executive, Screenwest
Notes for Editors:
Image: ©: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo. Picture shows: Joanne Lees and Peter Falconio.
https://asset.cloudinary.com/uktv-dam/78764b9673c924b6099ac1cc4f3b9f08
Production credit: Outback Terror: The Falconio Murder is produced by Prospero Productions for UKTV. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. International distribution by Sphere Abacus.
About U&W
U&W is Broadcast Digital Awards’ Entertainment Channel of the Year for 2024. Its quality mix of UKTV Originals features heart-warming shows led by some of the UK's most-loved talent, uplifting series shining a light on heroic emergency services, and true crime programming that prioritises empathy for the victims at the heart of each story.
U&W is life unfiltered. It’s those raw and genuine heart swell moments where emotions run high, and those moments where we reveal our true selves and where all life is captured.
U&W Original programming includes the award-winning Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over and Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA, At Home With Katherine Ryan, Katie Piper’s Jailhouse Mums; the incredible frontline workersof Inside the Ambulance, Young Midwives of Essex, Nurses on the Ward and 999 Rescue Squad; and the shocking true crime stories of Back From The Dead: Who Kidnapped Me?, Red Flag and Lies, Deceit & Betrayal. U&W is also the exclusive home to carefully selected acquisitions such as the joyfully competitive MasterChef franchise, including MasterChef Australia, MasterChef USA and MasterChef Juniors.
About U
U is UKTV’s free TV streaming service, providing instant access to shows from UKTV's free-to-air channels – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W and U&YESTERDAY.
U is available for free online at or through the U app on tablets, phones, or on smart TVs with Freeview Play, Freely, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, Sky Glass, Sky Stream, NOW and Roku.
Audiences have access to 9,000 hours of programming – including exclusive originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic BBC programmes across drama, comedy, entertainment, and factual entertainment. U is nominated for best streaming service at 2025’s Edinburgh Television Festival Awards, having doubled its views in just two years (+109% January 2023 to December 2024) and adding over 2,000 hours of new content in 2024.
Viewers can lose themselves in what they love with a diverse range of new and classic shows, including both new and classic series of Bergerac, Whitstable Pearl, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Marlow Murder Club, Outrageous, The Bill, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Guy Martin: Proper Jobs, Bangers & Cash, Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, MasterChef Australia and so much more.
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Their leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. Our content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.
UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and we are committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
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About Prospero Productions
Prospero Productions is one of Australia's leading independent television production companies. The company has made highly successful and award-winning factual programs and series for over 30 years. The Prospero signature is quality, narrative-driven factual programs that appeal to a wide audience and they have an outstanding track record of introducing and nurturing emerging personnel into the Western Australian film industry.
About Sphere Abacus
Sphere Abacus is the worldwide sales arm of Sphere Media, operating alongside the company’s highly successful production business. In addition, Sphere Abacus acquires and distributes a diverse slate of premium, multi-genre programming created by exceptional third-party producers for the global content market.
At the same time, the company also works with independent producers to facilitate pre-sales and development finance as well as broadcaster commissions. Embracing a fully transparent reporting ethos throughout, Sphere Abacus focuses on building strong client relationships and generating positive solutions at every stage of the process, from initial financing to worldwide broadcast to successfully deliver scripted and non-scripted entertainment that counts to a global audience.
Following an investment in May 2025, Sphere Abacus is a Bell Media company.
About Screenwest
Screenwest is Western Australia’s not for profit screen funding and industry development organisation, supporting the development, production and promotion of film, television, and digital games projects in WA. Screenwest provides strategic leadership and assistance to the screen industry across Western Australia.