Channel 4 has commissioned a 2-part documentary about the iconic Sycamore Gap tree.
The tree made global headlines when, in September 2023, it was deliberately felled. Standing in a remote nook of UNESCO World Heritage site, Hadrian’s Wall, it had gained fame through its appearance in Hollywood film, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Slaying at Sycamore Gap (working title) is a two part series, produced by Leeds-based Candour Productions and directed by Anna Hall.
“In a world where campaigners struggle to get people to take action to care about the global environmental crisis, the outpouring of grief for the Sycamore Gap tree was quite unbelievable,” explained Hall.
“A story that instantly went viral around the globe. A bereft community at the heart of it. And anger and outrage felt by thousands to get justice for the tree. This is an incredible opportunity to tell the story of some very unusual police work and why we all cared so much about a Slaying at Sycamore Gap”.
The indie has been given exclusive access to Northumbria Police and will tell the extraordinary story of the headline-grabbing crime.
The programmes will feature never-before-seen investigation assets, witnesses, suspects, police officers and case experts and exploring the impact the crime had on the local community and around the world.
The documentary centres around SIO Rebecca Fenney and DS Calum Meikle, who had to work on very little evidence, there was no CCTV, no witnesses, just the remains of the 200 year old tree.
“The felling of this iconic and much -loved tree sent shock waves across the world. With the mix of extraordinary access to this unique investigation and an award-winning director, this documentary is guaranteed to be both enlightening and utterly compelling. It is my hope it will offer up some understanding on what drove those to commit such a senseless crime,” said Anna Miralis, Senior Commissioning Editor, Documentaries.
Photo – National Trust
