Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

Sounds,19 Nov 2025,33 mins,

Contains strong language.

Available for over a year

‘Bloody Mary’ is most famous for burning hundreds of people at the stake for their religious beliefs. Sounding pretty evil so far. But she defied all of the odds against her to become queen, fight for what she believed in, and overcome a toxic childhood. Ria Lina, Pierre Novellie and Catherine Bohart must weigh up whether she was more evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

Programme Website
More episodes