Sky confirms line-up as hit podcast comes to TV

The guests have been named for the TV version of Evil Genius with Russell Kane – as Sky History confirms it will air from November 20.

A five-part adaptation of the comedian’s Radio 4 podcast, each episode will see Kane and three guests put five polarising figures from the past under the microscope to ask if they are evil or genius.

Comics taking part are: Judi Love, Geoff Norcott, Charlie Higson, Rachel Parris, Ria Lina, Rick Edwards, Tom Allen, Kerry Godliman, Michelle De Swarte, Miles Jupp, Maisie Adam, Desiree Burch, Jon Richardson, Alex Brooker and Ellie Taylor

Describing the historical figures to be examined in the hour-long episodes, Sky History says: ‘Was Winston Churchill a booze-sodden imperialist? Was Albert Einstein’s greatest work plagiarised from his wife? Was Coco Chanel a Nazi spy? Was Richard Nixon really a founding father of environmentalism? Was Pablo Escobar a modern-day Robin Hood?’

Kane says: ‘I’ve never been so excited to take people I admire, then cover them in dirty truths.’

The series is made by BBC Studios Entertainment. The series is executive produced by Mel Balac and Ben Knappett with series director James Kayler, and producer Simon Winkler.  

Published: 6 Nov 2023