A brand-new true-crime series from the BBC, "The Man in the Mask: An Orkney Murder", revisits a notorious island case over three episodes, combining new interviews and archive material to re-examine what happened and why it still reverberates today. It debuts on BBC Two, with all episodes streaming on BBC iPlayer for on-demand viewing in the U.K.
Here’s how to watch The Man in the Mask online from anywhere with a VPN — and where it’s available right now.
"The Man in the Mask: An Orkney Murder" airs on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. GMT on BBC Two, with all three episodes available on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. starting November 25.
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Set against the stark beauty and close-knit communities of Orkney, "The Man in the Mask: An Orkney Murder" reopens a case that unsettled the islands and sparked years of speculation. Across three episodes, the series pieces together the timeline using first-hand testimony, archival footage, and investigative reporting to separate fact from rumor.
It explores how fear spreads in small communities, how memory shifts with time, and how a single image — the masked figure at the heart of the story — came to define an entire narrative.
Read on to find out how to watch "The Man in the Mask" online, on TV, and from anywhere.
How to watch ‘The Man in the Mask’ for FREE in the U.K.
How to watch ‘The Man in the Mask’ from anywhere
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, lets your device appear as if it’s in your home country, which is handy if you’re traveling and want to access your usual streaming services. Our go-to for reliable access and fast speeds is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "The Man in the Mask" online and on demand.
How to watch ‘The Man in the Mask’ around the world
Can I watch ‘The Man in the Mask’ in the United States?
The Man in the Mask is not currently available on any official platform in the U.S. BBC iPlayer is restricted to U.K. users, and a U.S. broadcaster or streamer has not been announced.
It may surface later on BBC Select or BritBox, but nothing is confirmed yet.
As an alternative to the same case, "The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles" is available now on Amazon Prime Video.
If you’re a Brit in the U.S., you can use a VPN like NordVPN, select a U.K. server, and watch on BBC iPlayer in the meantime.
Can I watch ‘The Man in the Mask’ in Canada?
There’s no official way to stream "The Man in the Mask" in Canada right now. BBC iPlayer isn’t licensed outside the U.K., and no Canadian broadcaster or streamer has been announced. BBC Select could add it later, but there’s no confirmation yet.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation, you can catch the show on your usual domestic streaming service by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch ‘The Man in the Mask’ in Australia?
You cannot legally stream "The Man in the Mask" in Australia at this time. BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the U.K., and no Australian distributor has been announced. BritBox Australia is a potential future home, but nothing is confirmed.
If you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under, you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
‘The Man in the Mask’ - Need to Know
‘The Man in the Mask’: Episode guide
- 1. Witnesses, Woods and Bullets - An Orkney waiter is murdered, and a schoolboy becomes prime suspect - but did he do it?
- 2. The Schoolboy and the Waiter - Hazel investigates whether a hitman could have committed the murder.
- 3. The Sniper and the Witness - Twelve years after the murder, a new witness says he saw Ross with a balaclava and a gun.
'The Man in the Mask' - FAQ
When does The Man in the Mask air on TV? Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. GMT on BBC Two.
Is it on BBC iPlayer and when? Yes. All three episodes are available on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. from November 25, 2025.
How many episodes are there? Three. It’s a three-part documentary series.
Do I need a TV Licence or account to watch on iPlayer? Yes. You need a valid U.K. TV Licence and a signed-in BBC account to watch or download on iPlayer.
Can I watch it outside the U.K.? Not officially. iPlayer is geo-restricted to the U.K., and no international distributors have been announced yet for the U.S., Canada, or Australia
I'm traveling. Can I still watch it? If you’re a U.K. resident, you can use the iPlayer app’s offline downloads for episodes saved while in the U.K. and watch abroad later.
Will it be available on BritBox or BBC Select? Possibly in the future, but there’s no confirmation yet.
Is there a related documentary available now outside the U.K.? Yes. "The Orkney Assassin: Murder in the Isles" is available on Amazon Prime Video.
More from Tom's Guide
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