Channel 4 and ITV Studios sample Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator from Blink Films

Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator examines what influenced his psychology and behaviour

MIPCOM: Channel 4 in the UK will air a new documentary from factual indie Blink Films that investigates what DNA may reveal about the 20th century’s most notorious figure, Adolf Hitler, with ITV Studios launching the series here in Cannes.

Tin Roof Media prodco Blink Films has spent three years making Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator (2×60’/1×90’), which uses a sample of Hitler’s DNA to show whether his genes played a part in influencing his psychology and behaviour.

On screen, a global assortment of health professionals, behaviour experts and other scientists join world-leading geneticist Dr Turi King and Second World War historian Dr Alex Kay to decode and analyse Hitler’s genetic make-up, with the revelations set to shed new light on everything from his personal relationships to his political and social beliefs.

The doc is a Blink Films production for Channel 4, directed by James Routh, produced by Zoé Wiggins and executive produced by Dan Chambers and Nina Davies. It was commissioned for Channel 4 by Jonah Weston and Emily Shields.

Jonah Weston, commissioning editor at C4, said: “Nothing can ever fully explain Adolf Hitler’s evil. But finding Hitler’s DNA is an incredible feat of scientific detective work – and gives unprecedented insights into history’s most studied man.”

Dan Chambers, Blink Films’ creative director, added: “For 80 years there has been lots of speculation about Hitler’s medical and psychiatric conditions. Now, by looking into his DNA for the first time in history, we’re able to reveal a whole series of things – some that we might have expected, others that are really surprising.”