United Kingdom / Feb 25, 2026 / U / Released digitally on BBC iPlayer and via the BBC Two TV channel.
Overall average
5.0/10
Plot
The story of the 'matchstick man' painter, one of Britain’s most beloved artists, revealed as never before through intimate and previously unheard hidden recordings. Recorded by a young fan, Angela Barratt, in 1972, the tapes uncover much about Lowry's life story and the changing north he captured in his iconic paintings. The voices in this film are real, lip-synced by actors Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith.
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Michala Hulme | Self |
| Claire Stewart | Self |
| Jeanette Winterson | Self |
| Leslie Primo | Self |
| Stuart Maconie | Self |
| Rachel Fairburn | Self |
| Simon Marshall | Self |
| Michael Howard | Self |
| Tony Heaton | Self |
Genres
Documentary
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | LS Lowry: The Unheard Tapes |
| Original language | English (EN) |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Production countries | United Kingdom |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Wall to Wall, BBC |
| Official site | bbc.co.uk |
| Release date | 25 febbraio 2026 |
| Executive producer | Morgana Pugh |
| Production | Hannah Mirsky |
| Assistant directors | Peter Sweasey, James Kent |
Release dates
TV
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