Stakeknife
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"High-stakes political true crime from the same team behind Where Is George Gibney?."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news
- ✓Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode
- ✓Listeners interested in British cases and the UK criminal justice system
Pros & cons
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team — exceptional across all dimensions
- +High binge factor — listeners consistently come back for more
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
About this podcast
Stakeknife, Series 2 of the BBC's Cover strand from Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy (the team behind Where Is George Gibney?), investigates Freddie Scappaticci, the man alleged to be Stakeknife — a top IRA double agent run by British intelligence — and the state's role in allowing murders to continue in order to protect him.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Stakeknife
What is Stakeknife about?
Stakeknife, Series 2 of the BBC's Cover strand from Mark Horgan and Ciarán Cassidy (the team behind Where Is George Gibney?), investigates Freddie Scappaticci, the man alleged to be Stakeknife — a top IRA double agent run by British intelligence — and the state's role in allowing murders to continue in order to protect him.
Is Stakeknife worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. BBC's Cover strand investigates Freddie Scappaticci, the alleged IRA double agent, and the British government's role in allowing murders to protect their asset.
Who is Stakeknife for?
Stakeknife is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode; Listeners interested in British cases and the UK criminal justice system.
What is the best episode of Stakeknife to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Stakeknife?
Stakeknife is available on BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Stakeknife?
If you enjoy Stakeknife, you might also like: Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead, S-Town, The Trial of Erin Patterson, You Didn't See Nothin. See our full "Podcasts Like Stakeknife" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Investigative, historically grounded, high-stakes
- Episode length
- 30-40 min
- Episodes
- 14 episodes
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United Kingdom
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