Portillo's State Secrets

Michael Portillo takes a look through the national archives to discover different stories that have been hidden in previously classified documents.

Seasons

10 Episodes • Premiered 2015

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 1: Crime and Punishment

1. Crime and Punishment

Michael discovers the secret files of Britain's last hangman, takes a look at private letters sent to Sherlock Holmes, and examines the hidden history of murderer Dr Crippen.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 2: Tyrants

2. Tyrants

Michael discovers Hitler's hidden medical files and looks at the Christmas cards sent to an African dictator. He also finds the details of an incredible shopping list by Henry VIII.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 3: Celebrity and Scandals

3. Celebrity and Scandals

Michael finds out about the secret war on the Rolling Stones and how Special Branch spied on a future king.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 4: Mysteries

4. Mysteries

Michael learns about the original letter that gave birth to Jack the Ripper and he also finds out about the mysterious disappearance of a wartime hero.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 5: Sport and Politics

5. Sport and Politics

Michael learns about the secret documents that show why the country didn’t boycott Hitler’s Olympics and he finds out about Churchill’s attempt to ban the world’s first black heavyweight champion.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 6: Traitors and Spies

6. Traitors and Spies

Michael learns about the secret documents that relate to some of the country's traitors.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 7: Monarchy

7. Monarchy

Michael takes a look at files from the National Archives that relate to the monarchy as he learns about a speech that would have been read by the Queen in the event of a Third World War happening.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 8: Banned

8. Banned

Michael finds out about the state’s strategy on Scientology and learns how bull running was banned in the United Kingdom.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 9: On Trial

9. On Trial

Michael takes a look at how Mary Whitehouse defended God in a court of law and learns more about the last woman to be imprisoned under the Witchcraft Acts.

Still image for Portillo's State Secrets season 1 episode 10: National Security

10. National Security

Michael finds out the secret memos behind the SAS’s most daring raid and takes a look at a bloody conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Cast

Photo of Michael Portillo

Michael Portillo

Self - Host

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