New ten-part series reveals how Harry Houdini’s rise from poverty to global stardom changed magic, media and fame forever.

What can we expect to learn about Houdini from the podcast

The BBC’s press release tells us:

Across ten episodes, Brown examines the many identities inhabited by Houdini throughout his life: performer, self-publicist, innovator, sceptic, media pioneer and cultural phenomenon. Drawing on historians, biographers and leading magicians, the series explores how Houdini’s relentless drive to succeed took him from childhood poverty to global stardom, and why his methods feel remarkably familiar in today’s age of influencers, viral moments and personal brands.

Listeners will hear how Houdini honed his craft through years of struggle, developed groundbreaking illusions and escapes, mastered publicity stunts and generated headlines around the world, creating a blueprint for attention and celebrity that continues to shape modern culture more than a century later.

The series begins with his childhood as Erik Weisz, a Hungarian immigrant growing up in poverty in America, before charting his extraordinary transformation into Harry Houdini. Each episode focuses on a key lesson from his life, from finding motivation and developing a unique voice, to mastering the media, protecting a brand and cementing a legacy that endures a century after his death.

The series will air on BBC Radio 4 across two weeks from 19 October, and will also be available as a boxset on BBC Sounds from that date, with all ten episodes available to listen to in full.

It is a Strawberry Blonde production for the BBC. The producer is Calum McCrae, and the Executive Producer is Sophie Ellis.