Deadline: Amazon unveils ‘The Fake Sheikh’ In True-Crime Push

August 24, 2022

Deadline: Amazon unveils ‘The Fake Sheikh’ In True-Crime Push — Edinburgh TV Festival

The Fake Sheikh and The Greatest Show Never Made come from Voltage TV and Factual Fiction, respectively, and will launch on the streamer next year. They will be joined by a previously announced ITN Productions doc, whose titles been revealed as The Confession, Firecrest Films’ three-part series Three Mothers (working title), a film about YouTuber KSI and Ben Stokes: Phoenix From the Ashes.

The Fake Sheikh tells the story of maverick British reporter Mazher Mahmood, whose exposés generated headlines by his use of false identities to ensnare royals, sports stars, politicians, celebrities and members of the public. The three-part documentary series will track his meteoric rise (he was twice winning Reporter of The Year at The British Press Awards) and subsequent downfall and imprisonment.

Members of Mahmood’s inner circle are among the interviewees and will give those who were affected by his stings th chance to their side of the story. Ceri Isfryn is directing, with Sanjay Singhal and Jonathan Smith the executive producers.

“All it took was a cheap Arab costume, a Rolex and a manicure and somehow the charismatic Mahmood took everyone in – from celebrities to sports stars, even the royals,” said Singhal. “We’re trying in this series to get to the core of the man himself: admired by some as a crusading journalist, hated by others for his deceit and manipulation, but there’s no question that he remains the most fascinating tabloid journalist of our times.”

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“Original documentary storytelling is a key part of our growing UK slate, from nail-biting sport to intriguing whodunnits and stranger-than-fiction history,” said Dan Grabiner, Head of UK Originals, Amazon Studios. “We’re excited to be working with tremendously talented filmmakers, both new directors and legends of the genre, to bring these remarkable human stories to a global audience.”

“There’s a huge appetite for true crime in the UK,” added Amazon Development Executive Fozia Khan.