The Troubles: A Secret History
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.
Seasons
1. Episode 1
Air Date: 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.
2. Episode 2
Air Date: 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.
3. Episode 3
Air Date: 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.
4. Episode 4
Air Date: 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.
5. Episode 5
Air Date: 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.
6. Episode 6
Air Date: 2019-10-15
An investigation into the murders of two young brothers uncovers secrets from the loyalist gang that carried out the attack.
7. Episode 7
Air Date: 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.
8. Behind The Scenes
Air Date: 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.
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Rating
7.3/10
Release Date
2019-09-10
Episodes
8 (1 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Jennifer O'Leary
Herself - Reporter
Mandy McAuley
Herself - Reporter
Darragh MacIntyre
Himself - Reporter
Gerry Adams
Self (archive footage)
Martin McGuinness
Self (archive footage)
Ian Paisley
Self (archive footage)
Margaret Thatcher
Self (archive footage)
Harold Wilson
Self (archive footage)
Seanna Walsh
Self
Seán Donlon
Self - Diplomat
Edward Daly
Self (archive footage)
Eamonn McCann
Self
Videos
Production Companies
BBC Northern Ireland