• Michael Sheen will present a two-part BBC factual series, Buried, investigating claims of chemical contamination in South Wales.
  • The series builds on Smoke Trail’s podcast and follows Sheen’s personal quest after meeting whistleblower Douglas Gowan.
  • Buried (w/t) is co-produced by Wall to Wall and Smoke Trail, in partnership with the Open University, and will air on BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer.

H2: What Buried is about

Buried (w/t) is a two-part unscripted BBC factual series (2 x 60’) that follows award-winning actor Michael Sheen as he investigates long-standing claims of chemical contamination in South Wales. The series was announced by BBC Factual and BBC Cymru Wales on 26 January 2026 and is co-produced by Wall to Wall and Smoke Trail Productions, in partnership with the Open University.

H3: Why this story matters to Michael Sheen

For Sheen the story is personal. Nearly ten years ago he met researcher and whistleblower Douglas Gowan, who raised concerns about so-called ‘forever chemicals’ buried near farms and communities in the region. Gowan believed the dumping posed lasting health and environmental risks but died before his warnings were widely acted on. In Buried, Sheen revisits those warnings, meets affected families, and probes whether the concerns were justified.

H3: Who Sheen speaks with

The series brings together local people and experts: residents from affected communities, local councillors, environmental investigative journalists, forensic scientists and medical professionals. Together they explore questions of conspiracy, denial and responsibility — and why a potential environmental hazard could remain hidden for so long.

H2: Production and credits

Buried builds on Smoke Trail’s critically acclaimed Radio 4 and BBC Sounds podcast, Buried: The Last Witness. The TV series is commissioned by Jack Bootle (Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual) and Nick Andrews (Head of Commissioning, BBC Cymru Wales). Tom Coveney and Julian Carey serve as commissioning editors for the BBC. Michael Fraser is executive producer for Wall to Wall; Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor are executive producers for Smoke Trail Productions. Jacci Parry is series producer and Mags Gavan directs.

H3: Broad reach and partners

The show will air on BBC Two, BBC One Wales and be available on BBC iPlayer. Wall to Wall is part of the Warner Bros. International Television Production Group. The series is made in partnership with the Open University, underscoring the BBC’s factual and educational remit.

H2: What the BBC says

Jack Bootle said the series is a unique opportunity to spotlight the possible impact of ‘forever chemicals’ across the UK and to engage viewers with an important environmental issue. Nick Andrews described the investigation as “hugely important” and warned it will shock many inside and outside Wales.

H3: Next steps

The BBC has not specified a broadcast date in this announcement. The series follows Smoke Trail’s podcast reporting and promises to extend that investigation with on-the-ground reporting, expert analysis and first-hand testimony from the communities at the centre of the story.

Image: https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p0mx6r31.jpg

Image Referance: https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2026/factual-series-with-michael-sheen-announced