From Late-Night Binge to Crime Documentary: How a TV Couple Found Their Passion Project
Most couples enjoy cozy evenings watching television together, but for husband-and-wife team Jonny Owen and Vicky McClure, one particular binge-watching session sparked an extraordinary journey into the world of historical crime investigation. The Line of Duty star and her filmmaker husband have revealed how their shared fascination with true crime led to their new documentary series that promises to change how viewers understand some of Britain's most notorious murders.
The Binge That Started It All
'I remember us staying up all night watching Making a Murderer a few years ago,' Jonny told Metro. 'It was one of the first times where we kept saying "Let's watch another episode" - complete binge-watching. Suddenly, it was three in the morning, and as we finished another episode, we started saying, "We should do something like this, a series about the history of crimes and infamous murders."'
With Vicky's passion for crime documentaries and Jonny's background in history studies, the couple realized they had the perfect combination of interests to create something unique. 'Imagine combining a documentary with the history of a crime,' Jonny suggested during that fateful late-night conversation, 'with a programme that shows how crime affects the way that we live decades later.'
Britain's Murder Map: A Joint Venture
Fast forward several years, and that late-night idea has become Britain's Murder Map, the couple's first joint documentary programme now airing on Sky History and History Play. The series sees them travel across the UK to investigate different historical killings, focusing as much on the stories of victims as on the fate of their killers.
'With Jonny's love and vast knowledge of history, and my curious interest in people, it felt like a great pairing to take on this type of show,' says Vicky, explaining their complementary skills that made them natural hosts for the series.
Living and Breathing Historical Crimes
The filming process proved to be an intense experience for both presenters. 'We were waking up every day and then going on set together and living through these crimes,' Jonny recalls. 'At the end of each day, we were sitting down, and we were talking about the murders all the time.'
For Vicky, who plays Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in Line of Duty, the experience brought her closer to real investigative work than ever before. 'Vicky's so brilliant with people,' Jonny observes. 'She spoke to victims' families, such as the niece of one of the victims of Glasgow killer Bible John, and I saw the way she put them straight at ease. She's a brilliant natural detective, and she would love to be in AC-12 in real life.'
Uncovering Forgotten Stories
The series covers cases ranging from Edinburgh's infamous body snatchers Burke and Hare - which Jonny describes as 'an 1828 Line of Duty' - to murderous Dr Crippen, who attempted to escape on a cruise line before being executed for his crimes.
Vicky emphasizes the importance of focusing on victims who often get lost in sensational crime stories. 'From the start, she was saying that too often the victim of a crime gets lost in the story,' Jonny notes, 'and it's really important we find out who that person was and what their lives were like.'
Emotional Discoveries and Historical Revelations
Both presenters found themselves deeply affected by the cases they investigated. Vicky describes feeling 'fascinated and very sad' by each story, particularly disturbed by the 1960s Bible John case in Glasgow and the racist murder of Kelso Cochrane in an area she knows well.
Jonny was particularly moved by the story of Timothy Evans, wrongfully executed in 1950 for a murder committed by his neighbor John Christie. 'As a little boy, I remember both my father and grandfather saying "the state murdered him," Jonny reveals, noting that Evans came from his hometown of Merthyr Tydfil. Evans's case eventually contributed to the abolition of the death penalty in Britain.
Bringing History to Life
One of the series' most extraordinary moments came when experts used the actual death mask of executed killer William Burke to create a facial reconstruction. 'Vicky and I saw it on a big screen for the first time in a lecture theatre in Edinburgh,' Jonny remembers, 'and both went, "Oh my God!" We'd been studying Burke and Hare, but this suddenly brought everything to life for us.'
Balancing Fame and Normal Life
During filming in London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, Vicky's celebrity status as a Line of Duty star inevitably drew attention. 'She's recognised a lot,' Jonny says. 'People are brilliant. They want a chat and a selfie. Police love her, and when she's out filming, it's often the police who come over. She loves chatting to them.'
Despite their television careers, the couple maintains a surprisingly normal domestic life. 'Everyone thinks we must have a glamorous life,' Jonny admits, 'but we have to get home in time for the supermarket deliveries, and I'll still jump out and get milk because we've run out.'
A Perfect Partnership
The couple's professional collaboration builds on their previous experience working together on the 2012 film Svengali, where Vicky played the on-screen partner of Jonny's character. 'This time around, I called us George and Mildred on set!' Jonny jokes about their working dynamic.
As viewers immerse themselves in Britain's Murder Map, they'll discover a meticulously researched series that combines historical investigation with compassionate storytelling. For fans of crime, history, and real-life narratives, this husband-and-wife presenting team offers a fresh perspective on Britain's criminal past - and perhaps a glimpse of future collaborations to come.
