Evil Genius with Russell Kane

BBC Sounds

<p>It’s good, bad, ugly - and very very funny. Changing the way we see heroes and villains in history.</p>

  • 32 minutes 16 seconds
    Evil Animals - Spiders

    Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on spiders. Consistently ranked amongst the most creepy and crawly, we ask are spiders abusive arachnids or kooky cuties?

    Helping Russell decide whether spiders are evil or genius are top comedian Josh Jones and leading entomologist & England Manager for Buglife, Dr. Karim Vahed.

    Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

    Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

    11 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 31 minutes 3 seconds
    Evil Animals - Herring Gulls

    Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests deep dive our seaside favourite – the Herring Gull. Is this bird a Flapping Felon or a proper paid-up member of the Coastal Carb Clean-up Crew?

    Helping Russell decide whether Herring Gulls are evil or genius are comedian Jordan Gray and scientist Holly Dominique.

    Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Nick Thackeray-Cron Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

    Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

    4 March 2026, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 22 seconds
    Evil Animals - Sharks

    Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on sharks. Is this apex predator a Fin-credible Hulk or deep-sea demon? Helping Russell decide whether sharks are evil or genius are comedian Susie McCabe and zoologist Billy Heaney.

    Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

    Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

    25 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 31 minutes 13 seconds
    Evil Animals - Mosquitoes

    Comedian Russell Kane lifts the lid on mosquitoes and asks... are they buzz kills or buzz buddies?

    Helping Russell decide whether mosquitoes are evil or genius are Dr. Erica McAlister – Principal Curator of Diptera at the Natural History Museum and comedian Desiree Burch.

    Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs

    Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

    Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

    18 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 31 minutes 28 seconds
    Evil Animals - Penguins

    Join comedian Russell Kane as he digs the dirt on penguins. Are penguins whimsical waddlers or cold-hearted sex pests? Helping Russell decide whether penguins are evil or genius are comedian Felicity Ward and zoologist Lucy Cooke.

    Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

    Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

    11 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 34 minutes 55 seconds
    Evil Animals - Dogs

    Comedian Russell Kane gets to the bottom of dogs (no, not that bottom). Are dogs – aka Hairy Styles – the Goodest Bois or Barkitects of Chaos?

    Helping Russell decide whether dogs are cute marvels or four-legged psychopaths are comedian Lucy Porter and zoologist Jules Howard.

    Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls

    Evil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

    4 February 2026, 5:00 am
  • 1 minute 12 seconds
    Evil Animals: Returning Soon

    Evil Animals is crawling back into this feed. Stay tuned for brand new episodes, featuring dogs, penguins and sharks!

    15 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 37 minutes 29 seconds
    Hulk Hogan

    Hulk Hogan was undeniably a star and cultural icon. But beneath his rock hard brand lies scandal, abuse and shocking values. Sara Pascoe, Gbemi Oladipo and John Tothill must weigh up the evidence before deciding: evil or genius.

    Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

    The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

    14 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 33 minutes 34 seconds
    Mata Hari

    Mata Hari’s life was full of reinventions, deception and drama. But was she a smart woman, making the best of a sticky situation? Or was she a traitorous enchantress who manipulated her way to the top? Daliso Chaponda, Maisie Adam and Jack Skipper are forced to vote: evil or genius.

    Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

    The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

    7 January 2026, 5:00 am
  • 30 minutes 18 seconds
    Richard Wagner

    Undoubtedly a pioneer in his field, Wagner made music that continues to inspire composers today. But his personal views make it difficult to separate the art from the artist. Unfortunately for our panellists - Peter Rethinasamy, Laura Smyth and Rachel Fairburn - they have no choice but to decide: evil or genius.

    Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

    The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

    31 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 32 minutes 58 seconds
    Francis Bacon

    Francis Bacon was a pioneer in his field, whose deeply moving art sold for millions. But his private life reveals a coldness that will make it difficult for Jess Fostekew, Fatiha El-Ghorri and Eshaan Akbar to decide: evil or genius?

    Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

    The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

    24 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App