Evil Genius with Russell Kane
BBC Sounds
SummaryEver wonder if your favorite historical figure was actually a nightmare, or if that adorable animal in the nature documentary is secretly a cold-blooded villain? Hosted by Russell Kane, Evil Genius is the ultimate courtroom for the famous, the infamous, and the misunderstood. Each episode, Russell brings together a panel of comedians and experts to put a subject on trial. Whether they are dissecting the chaotic life of a legendary train robber, questioning the saintly status of Joan of Arc, or debating if a koala is a brilliant survivor or just a repulsive, territorial mess, the show peels back the layers of myth to find the messy reality underneath. It is a brilliant blend of deep-dive research and sharp, irreverent comedy where no reputation is safe. The show excels at challenging the sanitised versions of history and nature we were taught in school. You will learn about the bizarre evolutionary traits of wasps, the erratic personal life of Mozart, and the strange, phantom myths surrounding Helen of Troy. If you enjoy having your assumptions dismantled with wit and genuine scientific curiosity, this is the place to be. Join the jury as Russell and his guests weigh the facts, argue over the legends, and decide once and for all: are these icons and critters geniuses, or are they truly evil?
Updated Jul 8, 2026
Episodes
Evil Animals, Series 3: Wasps
From pestilential picnic spoilers to life-saving medical marvels, discover why wasps are nature's unsung heroes.
Evil Animals, Series 3: Koalas
Between their toxic diet, tiny brains, and aggressive sex lives, koalas prove they are nature’s most chaotic creatures.
Ronnie Biggs
From railway heist to decades on the run, explore whether the Great Train Robber was a villain or a folk hero.
Series 12: Ronnie Biggs
Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs turned a petty crime into decades of notoriety as an anti-establishment folk hero.
Joan of Arc
Teenage peasant, religious fanatic, or warmonger, Joan of Arc was a visionary who weaponized delusion to change history.
Series 12: Joan of Arc
Peasant teen Joan of Arc combined divine visions with military fervor to lead France before her fiery end as a martyr.
Series 12: Mozart
Explore the life of the prolific child prodigy whose musical mastery clashed with his volatile and immature nature.
Mozart
Child prodigy, arrogant man-child, or victim of a toxic father, decide if musical genius Mozart was evil or gifted.
Helen of Troy
Helen of Troy was a legendary beauty trapped between godly manipulation, a decade-long war, and extreme victim-blaming.
Evil Animals, Series 3: The Critters Are Back!
Discover whether koalas, wasps, and vultures are Pixar propaganda or genuine evolutionary villains.
The Critters Are Back!
From cannibalism to toxic vomiting, we investigate whether your favorite animals are evil geniuses or just pests.
Series 12: Helen of Troy
Was Helen of Troy a victim of godly meddling, a willing lover, or the ultimate villain of the ancient world?
William Shakespeare
Explore the duality of William Shakespeare as a brilliant wordsmith and a ruthless, grain-hoarding businessman.
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