The Big Cases


The Big Cases is a BBC true crime documentary series that first aired in 2022. The series examines notable criminal cases and court proceedings, primarily within the United Kingdom, with occasional coverage of international cases. It is broadcast on BBC News and all episodes are available on BBC iPlayer. The series offers an extended exploration of criminal cases, featuring investigative reporting, interviews, archival footage, and courtroom analysis, aiming to present detailed accounts of the legal processes and the individuals affected by the crimes.
Some of the cases that the series has looked into include the murder of Sabina Nessa, the 2023 Nottingham attacks, and the killing of Lilia Valutyte.

Reactions

Following the airing of the episode Deadly Browsing: The Lorry Driver on July 2022, covering the fatal A1 crash caused by lorry driver Ion Onut, he issued a public apology from prison. After the programme, Onut expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging that using his mobile phone while driving was a serious error. He stated, "The phone was a distraction, it was a really bad choice," and offered an apology to the families of the victims, saying he felt deep regret for the lives lost and the lasting trauma caused. The documentary also featured reactions from victims’ relatives and survivors, some of whom hoped that the episode would serve as a deterrent to others.
Following the broadcast of The Big Cases episode on The Nottingham attacks in January 2024, the families of the victims expressed concerns about not being consulted during the production process. They stated that the episode did not adequately reflect their experiences or perspectives and criticised the BBC for a lack of sensitivity in its handling of the subject matter. While the BBC later referred to the episode as having represented the families in relation to subsequent coverage, the families disagreed with this characterisation. They also expressed dissatisfaction with their exclusion from the later Panorama documentary on the case, raising concerns about the BBC’s overall duty of care.