A True Crime Series Starring Stephen Merchant As The Grindr Serial Killer Is Coming To BBC

We all know that serial killer shows are quite popular right now, so it’s no surprise that the BBC is cashing in on the trend. This one, however, is slightly different.

The Barking Murders will follow the story of Stephen Port, a serial killer who was convicted of the rapes and murders of four men in the UK between 2014 and 2015. He met his victims online using dating apps including Grindr, leading to him being dubbed “The Grindr serial killer”.

Port was also convicted of the rapes of three other men he drugged, and ten counts of administering a substance with intent, and four sexual assaults. He was sentenced to life in prison, and will not become eligible for parole.

Stephen Merchant as Stephen Port.
BBC

The series, which will star actor Stephen Merchant as Port, aims to go behind the sensational headlines about the case to shed new light on the story by telling it from the point of view of the families of Stephen Port’s victims. It will focus on their fight to uncover the truth about what had happened to their lost family members in the face of a now widely criticised police investigation.

About his role in the series, Merchant told Digital Spy: “This is a story that can’t be ignored – how four young lives were lost and their families’ brave attempt to uncover what happened.

This factual drama will shed light on their story, so it’s a privilege to be a part of telling it with the brilliant combination of Jeff Pope, Neil McKay and the BBC.”

The series will air on BBC One later this year.

• Stephen Merchant