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, U 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. 

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.” 

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.”