Harrowing true crime series about sadistic predator soars...

Harrowing true crime series about sadistic predator soars to Netflix number 1

Alistair McGeorge Published November 24, 2025 1:30pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Up Next

Previous Page Next Page Key Points summary__ai-icon

Netflix’s new true crime series ‘Manhunt: Chasing the Fox’ is a chart-topper in the UK
The show covers the chilling crimes of Malcolm Fairley, known as The Fox, and the massive manhunt to catch him in 1984
Viewers have been gripped by the harrowing story

Created with AI assistance. Quality assured by Metro editors.

Netflix viewers can’t get enough of a chilling true crime series which has just arrived on the platform.

Manhunt: Chasing the Fox, a two-part documentary about the notorious Malcolm Fairley, is a new addition to the platform and has already soared to the number one spot in the daily TV charts.

The synopsis reads: ‘England, 1984. A masked intruder plagues the countryside with a string of burglaries and sexual assaults. This documentary recalls the race to catch him.’

The 2023 series has finally landed on Netflix, with viewers gripped by the harrowing real life story.

Get personalised updates on all things Netflix

Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter.

‘Just watched this, really good,’ wrote Helen on Facebook, while Anna-Marie admitted: ‘Maybe a daytime watch for me lol.’

Fairley, who died aged 71 of natural courses in prison in May 2024, was known as The Fox and carried out a number of sex attacks in 1984.

Manhunt: Chase The Fox is soaring at the top of the Netflix charts (Picture: Netflix)

His heinous crimes sparked one of the largest manhunts in British criminal history before his arrest in September of that same year, after forensic evidence was found linking his car to a crime scene.

Over 200 officers were involved in the chase, and at the time of his arrest, he had committed 81 offences.

Fairley was given the nickname The Fox because he would build dens in the homes of his victims as he waited for them, often masked and armed with a shotgun.

He would lie in wait, eating meals and watching television as he collected trophies before revealing himself to carry out his attacks.

The Fox was arrested in September 1984 (Picture: John Downing/Getty Images)

The story of his capture has been told in the documentary (Picture: Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

It’s currently topping today’s rankings for series in the UK, with The Beast In Me, One Shot With Ed Sheeran, The Widower and Absentia rounding off the rest of the top 5.

Stranger Things is next as fans are clearly getting caught up or finishing a last minute re-watch before show returns for its fifth and final season later this week.

Ted Danson’s hilarious and wholesome detective comedy A Man On The Inside is back for a second series, coming in seventh today, while the top 10 is completed by Mr. Mercedes, Broadchurch and The Feud.

STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. (L to R) Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson in STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 5. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix ????2025

Netflix users are also getting ready for the final season of Stranger Things (Picture: Netflix)

Meanwhile, Manhunt isn’t the only documentary to be made about Fairley, with Channel 5 viewers getting a feature length programme from ITN Productions last year.

The Intruder: He’s Watching You From Within aired in April 2024, featuring never before heard police interviews with Fairley confessing to his crimes.

‘There’s something primal about our fear that there’s someone lurking in our homes – in our place of safety,’ Channel 5’s commissioning editor Dan Louw said at the time.

‘This film is a real-life horror movie, and a tribute to the brave victims who survived Fairley’s terror and the diligent cops who beat the odds to track him down.’

Deals of the Day

Dyson’s Black Friday sale is here! Save up to £550 on vacuums, Airwraps and hairdryers
Breakdown drama? There’s an app for that – and it gets you help in minutes
Emma is celebrating 10 years of better sleep with free bedding bundles worth hundreds!
Pack 60% more with these cubes that sell every 2 mins – and travel smarter, not heavier
Sick of shaving? This at-home device will save you hundreds on hair removal

Manhunt: Chasing The Fox is available to stream now on Netflix.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Arrow MORE: Netflix adds intense TV thriller with ‘best ending fans have ever seen’

Arrow MORE: Netflix adds ‘heartbreaking instant classic’ just in time for Christmas

Arrow MORE: Loved The Beast In Me? You need to watch Matthew Rhys’ best performance

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source TV Newsletter

Show Expand Options ? Select All Select All Big Brother Big Brother Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Celebrity Big Brother Celebrity Big Brother Doctor Who Doctor Who Great British Bake Off Great British Bake Off I'm A Celeb I'm A Celeb Love Island Love Island Netflix Netflix Strictly Come Dancing Strictly Come Dancing The Apprentice The Apprentice The Traitors The Traitors Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy