BBC Two confirms Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos docuseries
August 30, 2023
BBC Two and BBC Current Affairs announce Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos which explores the reasons behind some of the most dramatic and chaotic political events seen in a generation. Kuenssberg asks if our politics has been stretched to breaking point and if it can ever be normal again, in a series of three one hour episodes produced by October Films.
The first episode will air on September 11th on BBC Two at 9pm and on BBC iPlayer at 6am.
From the Brexit referendum, resignations, elections, prorogation and the pandemic, Kuenssberg was the BBC’s political editor and held a ringside seat as these events unfolded. She’ll investigate why this period became so toxic, both in public and behind the scenes, and add her own reflections on the period.
Beginning with the referendum result and culminating in the downfall of Liz Truss, the documentary will feature candid and revealing interviews with cabinet ministers and senior officials who were in the room as some of the most momentous decisions in British politics were made. It will also exclusively hear from senior civil servants and Number 10 staffers who have never spoken publicly before.
Kuenssberg said: “‘The referendum result triggered years of turbulence in our politics – chaos inside the Conservative Party and Parliament, with Prime Ministers coming and going in quick succession. I want to take viewers behind the scenes to show them what really happened, and ask whether after all the craziness, politics will ever be the same again?”
Neil Breakwell, executive producer at October Films, said: “British politics has been on a roller coaster ride that we’ve all had to live through. It also makes for a gripping series narrative and I can think of no-one better to make sense of it than Laura, who’s been strapped in to the roller coaster during the most turbulent of times.”
Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos is directed by Sarah MacFarlane and Max Stern. The series director is Daisy Ayliffe. October Films Head of Topical Programmes Neil Breakwell is Executive Producer. The programme was commissioned for the BBC by Head of Current Affairs Joanna Carr. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Gian Quaglieni.