Firecrest Films is to make a third instalment of its Murder Trial series with the commission of The Killing of Dr. Brenda Page for BBC Scotland and BBC Factual.
After Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Renee and Andrew MacRae which aired this year and the BAFTA Scotland award-winning Murder Trial: The Disappearance of Margaret Fleming from 2020, Firecrest has secured access to shoot from inside the High Court Aberdeen during the trial for the murder of Dr. Brenda Page, one of Scotland’s longest running unresolved murder cases.
In July 1978, Dr. Brenda Page, a 32-year-old leading scientist at Aberdeen University, was brutally murdered in her flat. Over four decades later, her 80-year-old ex-husband Christopher ‘Kit’ Harrisson finally stands trial, accused of her killing. Filmed over several years with access to the prosecution and defence teams, the police investigation and the victim’s family, Murder Trial: The Killing of Brenda Page sees witnesses paint a troubling portrayal of an abusive relationship preceding Dr Page’s death. It delves into how attitudes about domestic violence have changed and how this affects the conclusion to the trial. The series reveals the reality of justice in action and places the viewer alongside the jury at the heart of the justice system.
Murder Trial: The Killing of Dr. Brenda Page was commissioned by David Harron for BBC Scotland and by Emma Loach and David Hodgkinson for BBC Factual. The series was produced and directed by Jack Warrender and executive produced by Iain Scollay and Vari Innes at Firecrest Films.
Vari Innes, Executive Producer at Firecrest Films, says, “It’s a privilege to have been granted access to film in the Aberdeen High Court for this high-profile trial. A huge thanks to Brenda’s family and the legal teams for sharing their time around this challenging case, allowing us to highlight the importance of justice and conversations around domestic abuse.”
David Harron, Commissioner and Executive Producer for BBC Scotland adds, “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing viewers another two episodes of Murder Trial. The access granted to the team at Firecrest is genuinely exceptional and as well as being a compelling watch the series also provides a valuable insight into the working of the judicial system in Scotland.”
Emma Loach, Commissioning Editor, BBC Documentaries adds, “The last two series of Murder Trial have been utterly gripping and I’m delighted it is back with another case. This time the team at Firecrest are bringing us remarkable access to a challenging and high profile trial that takes us right to the heart of justice in action as well as raising important issues around abusive relationships.”
Jon Creamer
Share this story
