The Trials Of Oscar Pistorius on iPlayer
October 27, 2020
By Nik Roseveare
The Trials Of Oscar Pistorius is coming to BBC iPlayer. The docu-series tells the story of the ‘Blade Runner’ – an international athlete who inspired millions with his determination and dedication until Valentine’s Day 2013, when he suddenly found himself at the centre of a murder investigation following the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp.
The four-part series will be available as a box set on the iPlayer streaming service from November 7th, and will air on BBC Two at a later date.
The Trials Of Oscar Pistorius is a Very Much So production, in association with the BBC, Ventureland and Passion Pictures, and was originally commissioned for ESPN, who earlier this year were responsible for Emmy award-winning Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance and two-part series Lance. The series is directed by Bafta award-winner Daniel Gordon and produced by John Battsek.
Gordon commented: “The story of Oscar Pistorius is remarkable in its complexity. It’s at once inspirational and harrowing, and provides a lens of insight into a breadth of issues – from gender-based violence to disability rights, racial inequality and media frenzy. My hope is that the film gives audiences additional context and layers to a story they think they know.”
Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC iPlayer, added: “This incredible documentary series provides new perspectives on the terrible events of Valentine’s Day 2013, giving us a deeper and closer look at one of the world’s most remarkable sporting figures, on the South Africa that he grew up in and the media circus that surrounded his trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. It’s essential viewing, and joins an enormously rich collection of sports documentaries now streaming on BBC iPlayer, including the recently added Lance, as well as Oscar-winning films like When We Were Kings and OJ: Made in America.”