Vicky McClure, renowned for her gritty roles in police dramas like Line of Duty and Trigger Point, is now channeling her fascination with crime into a real-life investigative role. The 42-year-old actress is co-hosting a new Sky History series titled Britain's Murder Map alongside her husband, actor and producer Jonny Owen.
Delving into Britain's Darkest Crimes
The five-part documentary series examines some of the United Kingdom's most infamous historic killings, including unsolved murders, miscarriages of justice, and landmark cases that have influenced legal reforms. McClure and Owen travel across the country, exploring crimes within their historical contexts and questioning why these events continue to resonate decades or even centuries later.
Notable Cases Featured
The episodes cover a range of chilling subjects:
- The 19th-century bodysnatchers Burke and Hare.
- John Christie's murders at 10 Rillington Place.
- The 1959 racially charged killing of Antiguan carpenter Kelso Cochrane in London's Notting Hill.
- Dr. Hawley Crippen, the notorious wife-poisoner.
Personal Perspectives on Crime
Jonny Owen, who holds a history degree, emphasizes how modern technology has made criminal activities more difficult to conceal. "Technology has evolved so quickly that it's more difficult to be a criminal. You can get caught much more quickly now," he observes.
In contrast, McClure approaches the subject from a layperson's viewpoint. "I'm just an ordinary person. I'm the viewer," she admits. "At school, I didn't take to history, science, maths, all those kinds of things. It wasn't me. I was always wanting to just perform." However, her acting career, particularly her role in Line of Duty, sparked a genuine interest in crime through interactions with real police officers.
The Kelso Cochrane Case
One particularly frustrating investigation for the hosts is the unsolved murder of Kelso Cochrane. In May 1959, the 32-year-old carpenter was stabbed to death in Notting Hill by a group of white youths. Despite witnesses and evidence, no one has ever been charged, and the Metropolitan Police keeps the case file closed to the public.
McClure expresses her dismay: "Well, something's being hidden. Why would somebody redact, or hide or lock files away for a period of time? What's really, really heartbreaking about that particular case is it feels like there was so much evidence." Owen remains optimistic, asserting, "The truth always comes out."
Reflections on Justice and Vulnerability
The series also delves into the miscarriage of justice involving Timothy Evans, who was wrongly hanged for murders committed by his neighbor, serial killer John Christie. This case significantly contributed to the abolition of capital punishment in Britain. McClure reflects on false confessions, noting, "Some people say things because they feel forced into it, or even coerced."
Examining these historic crimes, many of which involved female victims, has made McClure more aware of her own vulnerability as a woman. She discusses her daytime disco venture, Day Fever, highlighting safety concerns: "It's not the safest place, the world, for a woman. You do walk around sort of conscious that, 'Is that person following me? Do I need to put my keys in between my fingers?' I'd be lying if I said I didn't."
Career and Advocacy
While currently filming the seventh series of Line of Duty in Belfast, McClure reveals a desire to diversify her roles, stating, "I would love to do a comedy at some point, because I'm hilarious!" She remains committed to portraying strong women, attributing this to her upbringing in a family of resilient females.
Proudly from Nottingham, McClure is an advocate for increasing working-class representation in the creative industries. She points out that only 9% of people in creative fields come from working-class backgrounds. Through their production company, Build Your Own Films, she and Owen aim to provide more opportunities for aspiring talent from diverse backgrounds.
A Collaborative Partnership
Working on Britain's Murder Map has been a rewarding experience for the couple, who married in 2023 after meeting on the set of Svengali in 2012. McClure shares, "When I'm working away we don't really get to see each other, so it wasn't bad to wake up together, travel together and just spend so much time together. It was a real treat."
