BBC Three has commissioned Why Dad Killed Mum: My Family’s Secret, a three-part documentary series, from Expectation.
Tasnim Lowe was 16 months old when her dad set her mum’s home in Telford alight. Before he set the house on fire, he carried baby Tasnim to safety, placing her under an apple tree in the garden. Tasnim’s mum, grandmother and aunt were all killed in the blaze. Lucy Lowe, Tasnim’s mum, was just 16 years old. Despite denying his guilt, Azhar Ali Mehmood, Tasnim’s dad, was given a life sentence for triple murder.
Tasnim’s dad has served 18 years in jail. He is now eligible for release and Tasnim, now 19 years old, has been asked to bring her opinion to the parole board. Tasnim wants answers about why her dad killed her mum. Her search takes her back to the late 90’s as she dives into local newspaper archives and court transcripts from her dad’s trial to begin to try to understand his motive. She discovers a shocking truth that takes her deep into a secret that rocked a community.
Ruth Kelly, Executive Producer for Expectation, says: “We are incredibly proud of our first factual series to broadcast on BBC Three and BBC One. It’s an important story of a remarkable young woman, made by a first-time female director told across three films. Championing new talent and new forms of storytelling is what we want to be doing at Expectation and BBC Three is one of the most exciting places to do that.”
Emily Smith, Commissioning Editor, says: “Tasnim has shown great bravery in sharing such a sensitive and personal journey. In doing so, Tasnim brings focus to a story that is not only significant to her and her family, but to a whole community and one which it is important to hear.”
Why Dad Killed Mum: My Family’s Secret, a 3×30 for BBC Three, is made by Expectation. It was commissioned by Damian Kavanagh, whilst he was Controller of BBC Three, and Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning, Documentaries. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Emily Smith. The Executive Producer at Expectation is Ruth Kelly and Production Manager is Lizzie Murray. The Producer/ Director is Lila Allen.
Staff Reporter
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