A new true crime documentary series on the BBC has been called ‘sickening’, but it could also be your next binge-watch.
The gripping three-part documentary titled The Mother of All Cons draws from the acclaimed 2023 BBC Radio 4 investigative podcast Believe in Magic by Jamie Bartlett.
The series follows the true story of a mother and daughter, Jean O’Brien and Megan Bhari, who established a charity for critically ill children in 2010. After publicising that Megan herself had a brain tumour, the teenage girl became a prominent face for the charity.
At the time it attracted the interest of high-profile celebrities, including one of the era’s biggest boy bands: One Direction. However, as the charity expanded, certain individuals started questioning the legitimacy of the mother-daughter pair leading it.
The synopsis continues: “She’s battling a brain tumour, and knowing the toll illness can take, she decides to devote her life to creating fairy-tale experiences that might help children to forget, even briefly, that they’re sick. Believe in Magic becomes an immediate success.
View 3 ImagesThe BBC series is based on a true story (Image: BBC Studios)
“Inspired by Megan’s courage and self-sacrifice, celebrities and her beloved One Direction are more than willing to donate their time and money to the cause. And when her mother, Jean, posts news that Megan’s health has deteriorated and she needs expensive treatment in America, countless families and celebrity supporters rally around to support Meg.”
It adds: “Together, they raise the money needed overnight. However, in an online chat, some parents whose own children have been treated for cancer abroad begin asking questions.”
This documentary provides an in-depth examination of what happene behind Believe in Magic’s closed doors, and is an excellent choice for fans who were captivated by true crime series such as Mommy Dead and Dearest and Mr Bates vs. The Post Office.
The Believe in Magic charity was ultimately forced to shut down in 2020 after more than £100,000 worth of donations had gone unaccounted for.
Jean was also found to have transferred a portion of the funds directly into her own account and it was later revealed that Megan had never actually had a brain tumour.
View 3 ImagesMegan launched the charity with her mum Jean(Image: BBC Studios)
“They would say things about Meg’s health and I wasn’t quite sure what was the truth and what wasn’t,” Megan’s estranged half-sister Nina Morgan told The Times. “My doubts were there, very early days, but it was something difficult to communicate.”
She added: “I also wasn’t aware, you know – was it led by Meg, was it led by Jean, the whole dynamics of it, I found very confusing at the time.”
Viewers who have already tuned in to watch the series have wasted no time sharing their reaction as one said: “The mother of all cons. I’ve just watched all 3 on BBC player. Ffs sickening.”
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Another wrote: “Binge watched all 3 episodes of The Mother Of All Cons on iPlayer and omg.” A third wrote: “The Mother of All Cons fascinating and sad documentary on BBC. Recommended.”
Meanwhile one added: “The mother of all cons (title of the new iPlayer docu series) blew my mind and I knew the story from the Believe in magic podcast from a few years back. If you can, find it and watch it.”
The Mother of All Cons is available to stream on iPlayer.