MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

5 Theories Behind The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

5 Theories Behind The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

{headline}

{headline}

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

{headline}

{headline}

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

Netflix's 'The Ripper' Will Take Viewers Into The Chilling Case Of The Yorkshire Ripper

One of Britain's most notorious serial killers - by Pema Bakshi
  • 19 Nov 2020
Netflix's 'The Ripper' Will Take Viewers Into The Chilling Case Of The Yorkshire Ripper

Between 1975 and 1980, Peter Sutcliffe, a.k.a. the 'Yorkshire Ripper' brutally murdered thirteen women and assaulted countless others across England's North West. Now, Netflix tells the harrowing story of his victims and how he evaded capture for so long in new docuseries, The Ripper.

The four-part series has been produced by the same people who brought us Don't F**k With Cats, and Netflix has just released the first trailer—just five days after Sutcliffe died in prison while serving a life sentence at the age of 74.

The Ripper will include interviews with senior police officers, journalists and family members who were involved and affected by the killings as well as real-life footage from the time of the initial investigation.

Sharing the trailer on Twitter, the streaming service included a list of Sutcliffe's victims: Wilma McCann, Emily Jackson, Irene Richardson, Patricia Atkinson, Jayne MacDonald, Jean Jordan, Yvonne Pearson, Helen Rytka, Vera Millward, Josephine Whitaker, Barbara Leach, Marguerite Walls and Jacqueline Hill.

The serial killer's last two victims were murdered while he awaiting trial for a drunk driving charge. 

yorkshire ripper victims

Vera Millward, Jayne MacDonald, Josephine Whittaker, Jean Jordan, Helen Rytka and Barbara Leach

Throughout the extensive investigation, Sutcliffe was interviewed a total of nine times for his various connections to the crimes, including a £5 bill that was found with one of his victims' bodies that could be traced back to his workplace payroll. At once point, a coworker of his even reported him as a suspect to the police, but the information was lost. 

One interview subject in the docuseries can be heard remarking that he "successfully hoodwinked the entire police force". 

After being arrested in 1981 for solicitation, he was questioned for two days about the Yorkshire Ripper case, seeing that he fit the description to a 'T'. He eventually confessed to the killings and was sentenced to life in prison at the age of 34. He would go on to claim throughout the trial that God had told him to murder the women. "The women I killed were filth", he told police. "Bastard prostitutes who were littering the streets. I was just cleaning up the place a bit."

peter sutcliffe yorkshire ripper

Peter Sutcliffe

According to Netflix, the series will also explore the cultural impact of his killing spree, covering “how the prejudices and misogyny of the time played a part in these women being so tragically let down."

Before Sutcliffe confessed, the police's delayed response to a serial killer being at large and attempted to ease people's minds by claiming that women just needed to be careful sparked outrage from the public. It was also announced that women who weren't sex workers had nothing to fear, despite many of his victims not being involved in sex work. 

Though he had already mercilessly bludgeoned many other women, it wasn't until the 1977 murder of 16-year-old Jayne MacDonald that police seemed to ramp up their investigation. Their description of MacDonald as the first "innocent" victim prompted backlash from the public, resulting in protests in defence of the victims that the police neglected.

And though it's certainly not the first or last time that authorities were quick to dismiss cases involving people they deemed to have 'high-risk' lifestyles, such as sex workers, the infamous case did shine a light on the matter.

yorkshire ripper protests

The Ripper launches on Netflix on December 16. 

Watch the full trailer here.

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

6 issues for $35 -

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
6 issues for $35

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

The Best Australian Podcasts, From True Crime To Pop Culture

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

Netflix's 'Carmel' Investigates The Mysterious Murder Of Socialite María Marta

5 Theories Behind The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

5 Theories Behind The Assassination Of Gianni Versace

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

Why Did Ted Bundy Not Kill His Girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer?

{headline}

{headline}

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

This New True Crime Docuseries Explores The Dark World Of Catfishing On A Whole New Level

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

Why Are More Mothers Killing Their Children?

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

9 Shows To Watch After 'Behind Her Eyes' For Those Who Miss Feeling Perpetually Stressed

{headline}

{headline}

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

Australia's Gender Pay Gap Shrinks As Men Join Lower Earning Roles Amid COVID-19

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

'MasterChef's' Newest Season Promises To Be Its Most Diverse (And Delicious) Yet

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

California Here We Come! Rumour Has It, 'The O.C.' Could Be Getting A Reboot

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Does Lymphatic Drainage Massage Actually Work?

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Your Weekly Horoscopes Are Here! February 26th - March 4th

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

Prince William And Kate Middleton Are Reportedly Upset By The Sussexes Interview With Oprah

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

HBO's 'Allen V. Farrow' May Make Woody Furious, But It Finally Gives Mia And Dylan A Voice

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

6 issues for $35 -

Shop This Offer
6 issues for $35