Channel 4 orders Marilyn Manson docuseries from Lightbox

Marilyn Manson. Pic credit: @CultCoInc

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has commissioned a three-part docuseries about controversial US rock star Marilyn Manson.

Simon and Jonathan Chinn’s Lightbox is producing the series, co-financed by Channel 4 and Fifth Season, and produced in partnership with Rolling Stone Films.

Marilyn Mansion: Behind The Mask (working title) charts the musician’s rise to fame, significance and role as a counterculture icon. Delving deep into his rock persona, this series examines the recent accusations against Manson and his ability to court controversy all while exploring how high-profile sexual assault allegations against him have played out. Fifth Season is handling worldwide distribution rights and is launching the series to buyers at MIPCOM next week.

Suzanne Lavery, SVP of unscripted at Lightbox, said: “Marilyn Mansion: Behind The Mask (working title) tells the definitive story of the controversy surrounding the star, charting his career from its early days through to his being dropped by his manager, agent and record label as a result of the allegations made against him.

“In first-hand testimony, we hear intimate accounts from his accusers, as well as those who robustly refute their allegations. The series asks timely questions about how the music industry draws the line between rock n roll excess and transgressive behaviour and examines whether Manson’s constructed persona reflects the reality of the human being behind the performer, and what the future holds for the freedom of expression and the right to shock.”

The series director is Karen McGann, the series producer is Zoe Jewell, Nic Preston is line producer, Selina Ferguson is production executive, and the executive producers are Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn and Suzanne Lavery. Jason Fine and Gus Wenner are executive producers for Rolling Stone Films.