Oscar Wilde's Very Victorian Scandal

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit

Myths, Ghosts, History, Supernatural, Folklore, Mystery, Paranormal, Ufos, True Crime, Society & Culture, Murder, Serial Killers

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 15 December 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 1895, the world witnessed its first true celebrity trial when Oscar Wilde was charged with “Gross Indecency". To tell the powerful story of Wilde's life in its fullness, Anthony and Maddy are joined by Merlin Holland, grandson of Oscar Wilde. Anthony and Merlin met while Anthony was filming his new History Hit documentary A Very Victorian Scandal: The Trials of Oscar Wilde.

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Edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. Senior Producer is Freddy Chick.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's 1895, and we're at the old Bailey in London. The courtroom falls silent as the judge prepares to speak,
0:10.6	hundreds of eyes fixed on the defendant. Once the brightest star in London, Oscar Wilde has appeared
0:17.3	to wilt under the weight of the accusations presented. Not long ago he stood defiant, but as the jury files back in, even his poise begins to fracture.
0:27.6	Reporters lean forward, ready to carve his fate into tomorrow's headlines.
0:32.6	Wilde closes his eyes, knowing that whatever comes next will change everything.
0:39.7	His name, his freedom, his legacy.
0:43.8	The judge clears his throat and he proceeds to issue the verdict.
0:53.6	Oscar Wilde was a national treasure, a prince of Victorian society, but beneath it all,
1:01.1	a storm was gathering.
1:02.8	And when the moment came, Wilde's world didn't just crack, it collapsed.
1:08.6	Who was Oscar Wilde?
1:11.0	How did a man once loved for his work so quickly become vilified by the public?
1:16.2	And what sort of legacy was forged in the wreckage of his fall?
1:20.7	To answer these questions, we are joined today by Oscar Wilde biographer and his only grandson, Merlin Holland.
1:56.7	Welcome to After Dark. Thank you. Hello and welcome to After Dark, I'm Maddie. And I'm Anthony.
1:57.9	Now, the downfall of Oscar Wild in 1895 shattered the life of one of Britain's brightest literary stars, reducing a celebrated playwright.
2:06.9	Reducing a celebrated what is happening to know?
2:11.4	Oh dear.
2:12.2	I don't think he likes it.
2:13.3	I don't think he does.
2:14.3	He's come back to a...
2:15.3	And it is a he as well.
	...

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