BBC Factual announces it has commissioned Believe in Magic, a compelling three-part documentary series, based on the hit BBC Sounds podcast, for iPlayer and BBC Two.
Produced by BBC Studios Documentary Unit and with exclusive access to friends, experts and family, the series tells the story of Megan Bhari, an inspirational 16-year-old girl who, along with her mother Jean, launches Believe in Magic: a charity to grant wishes to seriously ill children. The charity snowballs once newly launched pop band One Direction become major donors, helping fund the charity’s work, putting on a spectacular ball and publicly endorsing Believe in Magic. Meg and Jean organise magical experiences for the sick children and their families – gifts, toys, trips to Hamleys, to 10 Downing Street and even to Buckingham Palace are arranged. What’s all the more remarkable is that Megan is herself extremely unwell with a brain tumour.
However, a small group of parents in the child cancer community are beginning to have their doubts. They start to investigate Believe in Magic and begin to question how ill Megan really is. But events take a completely unexpected turn that suggests the truth may be darker and more troubling than anyone could have imagined.
Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, says: “This compelling series tells the complex story behind the Believe in Magic charity. Explored through the eyes of those caught up in events, it attempts to unravel the mother and daughter relationship at its heart. In doing so it raises profound questions about parenthood and the lengths we might go to make our children’s dreams come true.”
Georgia Moseley, Head BBC Studios Documentary Unit says: “This very complex, important story gripped listeners when the podcast was released two years ago. With unprecedented access to those closest to events, this series digs much deeper as further details come to light.”
There will also be a special bonus episode of the podcast – host Jamie Bartlett and producer Ruth Mayer will be reuniting to discuss what’s happened since the series aired.
Believe in Magic is a 3×60 series for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer made by BBC Studios’ Documentary Unit. The series is commissioned by Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning BBC Documentaries, the Commissioning Editors are Emma Loach and Tom Pullen. The Executive Producer is Jonathan Smith, and the series is directed by Luned Tonderai, with director-producer Ruth Mayer. BBC Studios is handling global sales.
TD