A new three-part series, Lucan, is coming to BBC Two and iPlayer, detailing one man’s quest to solve the decades-long mystery surrounding the disappearance of Lord Lucan. In 1974, Sandra Rivett, a children’s nanny, was found murdered in a Belgravia townhouse, with the chief suspect being Richard John Bingham, the seventh Earl of Lucan, who vanished without a trace. Despite widespread speculation that Lucan had taken his own life, no body has ever been found, sparking a manhunt that continues to this day.
The series follows Neil Berriman, a Hampshire builder whose connection to the case is deeply personal—his birth mother was Sandra Rivett. Over the past two decades, Berriman has dedicated his life to solving the mystery, scrutinizing every detail of Lucan’s life and corresponding with key figures such as Veronica, Lucan’s wife. His relentless research has led him to believe that Lucan not only escaped but has been living in exile under an assumed identity.
With the help of former BBC investigative journalist Glen Campbell, Berriman uncovers new evidence suggesting that Lucan’s powerful friends assisted in orchestrating his escape. The series explores Lucan’s potential life in Mozambique and even traces his activities to Buddhist retreats in Australia. The documentary captures the urgency of Berriman’s mission as Lucan, if still alive, approaches his 90s.
Lucan is produced by Five Mile Films for BBC Two and iPlayer. Clare Sillery, BBC’s Head of Commissioning for Documentaries, and Beejal-Maya Patel serve as commissioning editors, with Colette Camden directing the series. The documentary is set to premiere this autumn.
