Dispatches (1987)
Channel 4's landmark investigative documentary series, exposing the truth behind British society, politics, and global affairs since 1987.
Dispatches - Series Information
- Original Title: Dispatches
- First Air Year: 1987
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary, News
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Number of Seasons: 40
- Number of Episodes: 397
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 30, 1987 (United States - TV-PG)
- Networks: Channel 4
- Production Companies: ITN Productions, Bigger Bang, Hardcash Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Dispatches - Plot
Long-running Channel 4 documentary series covering issues about British society, politics, health, religion, international current affairs and the environment. Known for featuring a mole inside organisations under journalistic investigation.
Dispatches - Trailer
Watch the official Dispatches trailer and see the investigative journalism in action.
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Dispatches - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jane Moore
- Arthur Scargill
- Ken Livingstone
- Deborah Davies
- Saira Shah
- Jon Snow
- Gerry Adams
- Margaret Thatcher
- David Canter
- Nick Raynsford
Writers
- Jack Newfield
- Robin Barnwell
- Ed Harriman
- Andrew Rawnsley
- Charles C. Stuart
Executive Producers
- Daniel Pearl
Dispatches - FAQs
What is Dispatches about?
Dispatches is Channel 4's flagship investigative documentary strand, diving deep into British society, politics, health, religion, and international affairs. It's particularly renowned for its undercover journalism, often deploying moles inside organisations to expose wrongdoing and hold the powerful to account.
When did Dispatches first air on Channel 4?
Dispatches first aired on October 30, 1987, on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. It has since grown into one of British television's most enduring and respected investigative documentary series, spanning nearly four decades and nearly 400 episodes.
How many seasons and episodes does Dispatches have?
Dispatches has run for 40 seasons and 397 episodes as of 2026. The series peaked in output during the early 1990s, with some seasons featuring over 30 episodes, before settling into a more focused schedule of 10 to 30 episodes per season in later years.
Is Dispatches still being made in 2025?
Dispatches is very much still active. The series holds a Returning Series status and is currently in production, with Season 39 airing in 2025 and Season 40 already underway in 2026. Channel 4 continues to commission new investigations under the long-running Dispatches banner.
What makes Dispatches different from other documentaries?
Dispatches built its reputation on fearless undercover reporting. The series is famous for placing journalists or informants inside organisations to capture secret footage, a method that has led to landmark exposés on politicians, corporations, religious groups, and public institutions over nearly four decades.
Has Dispatches won any major awards?
Dispatches has earned numerous BAFTA nominations and wins over its long history, and individual films within the strand have received Royal Television Society and Broadcast Awards recognition. Its investigative work has also triggered parliamentary debates and official inquiries, arguably its most significant real-world accolades.
What topics has Dispatches investigated over the years?
The series has tackled an extraordinarily wide range of subjects — from NHS failings and food industry scandals to extremism, political corruption, and war zones. Notable investigations have examined supermarket practices, religious extremism in British schools, and the inner workings of major political parties.
What are similar documentary series to Dispatches?
Fans of Dispatches often enjoy American Experience, NHK Special, and Tonight for their similarly serious documentary approach. For investigative true-crime and conspiracy angles, American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders and Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street offer comparable depth and journalistic rigour.
More About Dispatches
Explore further details about Dispatches on these authoritative sources.