Australia’s most notorious figures are getting one last chance to make headlines, with the ABC digging into the nation’s colourful past in a new history podcast that promises plenty of laughs alongside the lessons.
Rather than delivering another straight history lesson, The Dead Can’t Sue takes a lighter approach, with historians Alecia Simmonds and Leigh Boucher unpacking the lives, scandals and surprising secrets of some of Australia’s most fascinating historical characters.
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The ABC has announced The Dead Can’t Sue, a witty, new history podcast available now on ABC listen, where two historians delve into the entrails of Australian history, dishing up the best dirt and juiciest scoops on some of our nation’s most intriguing characters.
Hosted by expert historians Alecia Simmonds and Leigh Boucher, the weekly podcast spills the tea on one dead Australian from our past: rebels and ruffians, convicts and conmen, military heroes and martyrs, celebrities and scoundrels.
As well as covering the life story of these characters, Alecia and Leigh pose the big questions that will make the average historian squirm, like: Was Bennelong an unlikely sartorialist? Did Matthew Flinders have a more-than-friendly relationship with navy surgeon George Bass? And why are we, as a nation, so obsessed with criminals like Tilly Devine?
Hosts Alecia Simmonds and Leigh Boucher said:
“It’s exciting to have the chance to explore some of the wonderful, weird and inspiring figures who have shaped our national story.”
“Looking back into the past helps us understand the big forces behind everyday decisions — both for people in the past as well as in our own lives today.”
ABC Head of Audio on Demand, Jessica Radburn said:
“If you like your history with a side of gossip, The Dead Can’t Sue is for you. Hosts Alecia and Leigh have a rare chemistry: they make you laugh while leaving lingering thoughts and questions — plus plenty of weird facts for your next pub trivia night.”
Commissioned by the ABC and hosted by Associate Professors Alecia Simmonds and Leigh Boucher, with Hannah Reich serving as supervising and development producer and additional development by Beverley Wang.
Clare Rawlinson is Executive Producer, Eric George is Audio Studios Manager of Podcasts, and Jessica Radburn is ABC Head of Audio On Demand.
You can listen to the first episode of The Dead Can’t Sue HERE.
