In The Footsteps Of Killers opens its third series on Channel 4 this Tuesday 17 June at 10PM with a case that’s as politically fraught as it is violent. Emilia Fox and criminologist David Wilson rejoin forces to investigate the brutal 1993 murder of Bulic Forsythe—a council manager whose death may have been more than just personal. This is true crime with institutional shadows.
The series, part of Channel 4’s steady push into forensic-led crime docs, once again pairs Fox’s steely composure with Wilson’s psychological insight. They’re joined this time by Dr. Graham Hill, a former senior detective with a clinical approach to case deconstruction. Together, they dissect the killing of Forsythe, who was found beaten to death in his Clapham flat, which had been deliberately set on fire. But it’s the context that sharpens the edges: Forsythe worked in Lambeth Council’s housing department, and shortly before his death, he had raised concerns about systemic abuse.
That central question—was Forsythe silenced?—gives this episode its drive. The investigators pursue threads of potential whistleblowing, dark political currents, and organisational cover-up. It’s not a whodunnit in the traditional sense. The strength of this series has always been its ability to suggest not just how someone died, but why no one was held accountable. There’s no re-enactment, no flash—just grounded, procedural inquiry that doesn’t let time dull the horror.
Now in its third run, In The Footsteps Of Killers has established a quieter, more deliberate rhythm than most of Channel 4’s true crime slate. It has more in common with BBC’s Crimewatch Live or ITV’s Cold Case Forensics than the stylised imports on streaming. And that’s the point. This isn’t built for background viewing. It’s for audiences who want the long view, and who understand that unsolved doesn’t mean inactive.
For viewers drawn to slow-burn criminal investigations with real stakes—and real-world implications—this episode is unmissable. It’s methodical, uncomfortable, and sharply executed. There’s no bombshell moment, just careful work that leaves its mark.
In The Footsteps Of Killers airs Tuesday 17 June at 10PM on Channel 4. Series 3 continues weekly.
