Channel 5 wades into one of history’s murkiest mysteries with The Princes in the Tower, a new documentary re-examining the disappearance of Edward V and his younger brother, Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York. These two young royals vanished from the Tower of London in 1483, sparking centuries of speculation and finger-pointing. Did their uncle, Richard III, orchestrate their demise to secure the throne? Or were other forces at play? This program aims to provide some answers, or at the very least, stir the pot of intrigue a bit more.
Historian Tracy Borman and actor Jason Watkins lead this latest foray into the infamous cold case. Watkins, portraying Richard III within a theatrical framework, attempts to get inside the head of this controversial king. While such dramatic recreations can sometimes feel a bit cheesy, Watkins’ performance hopefully offers something more than melodramatic mustache-twirling.
The documentary boasts exclusive access to the Tower of London itself, lending a certain gravitas to the proceedings. The program also revisits the discovery of two children’s skeletons in the 17th century, a find with obvious relevance to the case. While no DNA analysis has definitively linked these remains to the missing princes (because apparently 17th-century burial practices didn’t include detailed dental records), the program presents these bones as if they may well be our ticket to solving this thing once and for all.
The shadow of Sir Thomas More looms large in this story. More’s writings, which implicated Richard III’s servant, James Tyrrell, in the murders, are carefully examined. The documentary also hints at a fresh revelation that could supposedly crack the case wide open. Let’s see if this supposed revelation goes beyond those usual, “Here’s what we already know, but repackaged with fancier graphics!” type reveals.
The Princes in the Tower airs Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 9:00pm on Channel 5.
