Chris Packham takes on a terrifying crime ring: best podcasts of the week
This week's podcast picks, curated by the Guardian, are led by the third series of "Buried: Dead Rabbit", in which broadcaster Chris Packham helps investigate rural organised crime and illegal bloodsports after a pile of slaughtered animals is dumped outside a Hampshire primary school. Other recommendations include a scripted audio drama by Lena Headey exploring intimacy coordination on a film set, and lighter fare covering spirituality, unexplained mysteries and confidence-building.
The line-up spans genres from true crime to comedy drama and self-help. Highlights include "Mystic Mates" with actors Helen George and Yvette Robinson exploring tarot and astrology, "Intimacy" starring Headey alongside Hannah Waddingham, Alison Steadman and Maisie Williams, "Pretty Scary With Clair Buckley" on unexplained phenomena, and "Doing It Anyway", hosted by Katty Kay, which examines self-belief through expert interviews starting with Mika Brzezinski.
– "Buried: Dead Rabbit" (pick of the week): Chris Packham investigates rural crime and bloodsports after animals are dumped outside a school – "Mystic Mates": Helen George and Yvette Robinson discuss tarot, astrology and the spiritual world – "Intimacy": Lena Headey's drama about an intimacy coordinator, also starring Hannah Waddingham and Maisie Williams – "Pretty Scary With Clair Buckley": unexplained mysteries, UFOs and true crime – "Doing It Anyway": Katty Kay interviews experts on confidence and self-belief
- Chris Packham features in true-crime podcast "Buried: Dead Rabbit" series three
- Lena Headey writes and stars in new drama "Intimacy"
- Other picks cover astrology, unexplained mysteries and confidence-building
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Chris Packham is a British naturalist and broadcaster, best known for presenting wildlife programmes such as Springwatch, who has also become a prominent campaigner against illegal hunting and wildlife crime. In "Buried: Dead Rabbit", now in its third series, he turns podcast host and investigator, digging into organised crime networks operating in the British countryside, including illegal bloodsports, after a gruesome discovery of dead animals outside a primary school in Hampshire.
The story itself is the Guardian's weekly round-up of recommended podcasts, a regular feature that highlights new and returning series across genres. Alongside Packham's investigation, this week's selection includes a fictional drama about intimacy coordination in film production, created by actor Lena Headey, plus podcasts on tarot and astrology, unexplained phenomena, and building self-confidence.
These recommendations sit within the broader podcast landscape, where true crime and investigative journalism remain hugely popular alongside lighter entertainment formats. The mix reflects how the medium has grown to encompass everything from serious social issues, such as rural crime, to scripted drama and lifestyle content featuring well-known actors and broadcasters.