Charlene: Somebody Knows Something
The Crime Desk revisits the 2003 disappearance of 14-year-old Charlene Downes from Blackpool — a case that still has no resolution.
Podcasts Like Charlene: Somebody Knows Something
If you loved Charlene: Somebody Knows Something, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Missing Person, Cold Case, Investigation shows.
Why listeners love Charlene: Somebody Knows Something
Shortlisted in three categories at the 2026 True Crime Awards — one of the UK's most enduring unsolved missing-person cases. With a binge factor of 8/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
8/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Serious, journalistic, unresolved
Presentation approach
Episode Length
30-40 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Charlene: Somebody Knows Something
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
West Cork
True crime fans who love atmospheric investigative journalism, Anglo-Irish tensions, and cases that remain unresolved and fiercely contested decades later.
Bone Valley
True crime fans who care deeply about wrongful conviction, prosecutorial failure, and the fight to free innocent people; fans of In the Dark will find this essential.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo
CBC's Connie Walker investigates the Sixties Scoop through the disappearance of Cleo Semaganis Nicotine.
The Teacher's Pet
True crime fans who like journalism-driven investigations with massive real-world impact; anyone fascinated by domestic crime and institutional failure.
The Deck Investigates
Audiochuck's deep investigation of cold case homicide victims featured on playing card decks distributed to prison inmates.
CounterClock
Audiochuck's serialised investigative podcast working with law enforcement to bring cold cases to justice.
Man in the Window: The Golden State Killer
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Paige St. John uncovers never-before-revealed details about the Golden State Killer, told through his victims' eyes.
Going West
Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman cover haunting disappearance and murder cases twice a week, building one of the genre's deepest back catalogues.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlene: Somebody Knows Something (original) | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Your Own Backyard | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| West Cork | Serialized | Ireland | 9/10 |
| Bone Valley | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Missing and Murdered: Finding Cleo | — | Canada | 9/10 |
| The Teacher's Pet | Serialized | Australia | 9/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Charlene: Somebody Knows Something?
The best alternatives to Charlene: Somebody Knows Something are podcasts that share its Missing Person, Cold Case, Investigation focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Charlene: Somebody Knows Something?
Charlene: Somebody Knows Something is known for its serious, journalistic, unresolved approach to Missing Person and Cold Case. It scores 8/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it. It has earned a "Must Listen" rating from our editorial team.
How long are episodes of Charlene: Somebody Knows Something?
Episodes of Charlene: Somebody Knows Something are typically 30-40 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to Charlene: Somebody Knows Something?
Charlene: Somebody Knows Something is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Charlene: Somebody Knows Something to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.