Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 7: Five Theories | 20240706 | 20240711 (RU) | The morning after the tragic events at Greystone, detective Leslie T White brings his concerns about the evidence to District Attorney Burton Fitts. When witnesses are recalled to the hall of justice later that day, Dr Fishbaugh, the Doheny family physician, makes a surprising admission. Meanwhile, Peter meets internationally renowned artist Kerry Tribe, who was invited to exhibit at Greystone mansion in 2011. Intrigued by the story of Ned and Hugh, Kerry created a unique film exploring five different theories about what might have really happened that night. Readings: Michael Patrick Aoibheann McCann Jonathan Harden Patrick Fitzsymons Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production A rookie detective thinks the evidence doesn't add up, but will anyone listen? The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes. | |
| Episode 8: In Forensic Detail | 20240706 | 20240711 (RU) | Clark W Fogg investigated crime scenes with the Beverly Hills Police Department for nearly 40 years – what can he reveal about evidence found at Greystone Mansion, and what does he think really happened that night? Readings: Michael Patrick Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production Doubts about the official story endure. What can a modern review of the evidence tell us? The teams assume nothing as they examine events through fresh eyes. | |
| 01 | A Noise In The Night | 20240615 | 20240620 (RU) | When Belfast-born sound mixer Peter Devlin leaves a recorder running overnight while working on a movie in Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills – he captures a bizarre, unexplained sound. After hours of silence, there is a sudden crash, two loud bangs and then - silence. As the cast and crew take turns to listen, Peter begins to learn more about the dark history of Greystone Mansion – and discovers that two men died in the house in mysterious circumstances on the 16th February, 1929. At the time of their deaths, the men were embroiled in a huge corruption and bribery scandal that went to the very top of the United States government. A scandal that stretched from the Wild West to the Whitehouse, involving a multimillionaire oil tycoon whose father fled the famine in Ireland, a corrupt Senator - and a black bag stuffed with $100,000 in cash. In this eight part series, Peter Devlin and producer Conor McKay trace the extraordinary rags to riches story of Edward L Doheny – a penniless prospector who built a vast oil empire – to try and uncover the story of what really happened on that fateful night in Greystone mansion. Edward Doheny – Michael Patrick Reporter – Aoibhéann McCann Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin A strange recording inspires a search for the truth behind two mysterious deaths. |
| 02 | The Wild West | 20240615 | 20240620 (RU) | The police close their investigation into the deaths of Ned Doheny and his secretary Hugh Plunkett, deciding it is a clear case of murder-suicide, but not everyone is convinced. A rookie detective with the district attorney's office thinks the evidence does not match the official story, but will anyone listen? Meanwhile, Peter sets out to uncover the origins of the Doheny family's colossal wealth – starting in the dangerous Wild West town of Kingston New Mexico, where silver and gold prospectors rub shoulders with gunslingers in saloons and bordellos, and future oil tycoon Edward Doheny meets two men who will change the course of his life. In this eight part series, Peter Devlin and producer Conor McKay trace the extraordinary rags to riches story of Edward L Doheny – a penniless prospector who built a vast oil empire – to try and uncover the story of what really happened on 16th February 1929, when two men died in mysterious circumstances in Greystone mansion, Beverly Hills Cast District Attorney Burton Fitts – Michael Patrick Reporter - Aoibheann McCann Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin The police investigation ends, but not everyone believes the official story. |
| 03 | Black Gold In Mexico | 20240622 | 20240627 (RU) | Sent south by a railway company in search of oil, Doheny and Canfield head into the jungles west of Tampico on horseback and soon discover vast tracts of untapped land. They quickly build a vast oil empire on a colossal scale, but questions arise about Doheny's dealings with the Mexican government - and a terrible tragedy calls Canfield back to Los Angeles Readings: Aoibhéann McCann Michael Patrick Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive Editor Andy Martin Doheny strikes it rich in Mexico, but rumours of bribery also surface. |
| 04 | The Teapot Dome Scandal | 20240622 | 20240627 (RU) | When the United States wants to increase its military presence at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, a lucrative deal worth millions presents itself to Doheny thanks to an old friend from his Wild West prospecting days But when other oil suppliers get wind of the secretive deal, an investigation is launched. It soon uncovers explosive allegations that Doheny sent his son Ned and secretary Hugh Plunkett to bribe a top government official with $100,000. Readings Jonathan Harding Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive Editor Andy Martin To seal a secret deal, Ned and Hugh deliver a black bag full of cash. |
| 05 | Greystone Mansion | 20240629 | 20240704 (RU) | Accused of bribery, Edward Doheny is feeling the pressure. Facing an uncertain future, he decides to start selling some of his vast oil business. Albert Fall, his old friend and co-accused, is first up in the courtroom – and the jury returns a devastating verdict. Meanwhile, Peter Devlin takes a tour of Greystone Mansion, Ned's colossal family home, with the Mayor of Beverly Hills – Dr Julian Gold. Built while the Teapot Dome scandal raged, construction was overseen by Ned's friend and secretary Hugh Plunkett – but how did two men from very different worlds become such close friends? In this eight part series, Peter Devlin and producer Conor McKay trace the extraordinary rags to riches story of Edward L Doheny – a penniless prospector who built a vast oil empire – to try and uncover the story of what really happened on 16th February 1929, when two men died in mysterious circumstances in Greystone mansion, Beverly Hills. Readings: Michael Patrick Aoibhéann McCann Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin As the trials intensify, work begins on a magnificent family home for Ned Doheny. |
| 06 | February 16th 1929 | 20240629 | 20240704 (RU) | 9.30pm, Doheny avenue, Beverly Hills. A dark blue car approaches the gates of Greystone Mansion. The guard at the gates recognises the driver – it's Hugh Plunkett. Waved through, Hugh drives into the estate. After a brief call to Lucy Doheny from the garage, Hugh enters the mansion and is soon alone in a guest bedroom with Ned Doheny. By midnight – both men are dead. What happened on that fateful day? In this eight part series, Peter Devlin and producer Conor McKay trace the extraordinary rags to riches story of Edward L Doheny – a penniless prospector who built a vast oil empire – to try and uncover the story of what really happened on 16th February 1929, when two men died in mysterious circumstances in Greystone mansion, Beverly Hills Readings: Michael Patrick Aoibhéann McCann Jonathan Harden Patrick Fitzsymons Presented by Peter Devlin and Conor McKay Produced by Conor McKay Executive editor Andy Martin After a heated meeting at Greystone, events take a tragic turn. |