Mercury Podcast Network Expands True Crime Slate With Major New Signings for 2026

Mercury Podcast Network, one of the UK’s fastest-rising homes for creator-led audio, is marking the start of 2026 with the launch and acquisition of three major true-crime titles which are Rae Review: Dark Stories, Seeing Red, and Dead Famous. Together, these signings represent Mercury’s most significant expansion to date within one of podcasting’s most enduring and highly engaged genres.

Founded by audio producer and podcast creator advocate Liam Heffernan, Mercury Podcast Network is dedicated to empowering independent podcasters with the infrastructure, strategic support, and creative freedom needed to make a profitable podcast. The addition of these three shows reinforces Mercury’s mission to platform bold, distinctive voices and compelling storytelling with global reach.

Launching as a new original series from 14th January 2026, Rae Review: Dark Stories is hosted by Rae Review, one of the world’s fastest-growing true-crime influencers with nearly two million followers across social media. The weekly podcast will take listeners deep into true crime, dark history, and the unsettling complexities of human behaviour. Each episode will be carefully researched, calmly narrated, and thoughtfully constructed, offering nuanced explorations of some of the world’s most disturbing stories as well as the deeply human motivations behind them.

Speaking about the launch, Rae Review says: “I’m incredibly excited about this podcast because it lets me take the world of true crime even further and will give listeners a front-row seat to the stories their algorithm probably tries to protect them from. Storytelling is at the heart of Rae Review, and this podcast opens up a whole new way to connect with listeners who want more depth, more nuance, and maybe just a few more sleepless nights. See you in the next Dark Story!”

Also joining Mercury in 2026 is Seeing Red, one of the UK’s most popular and long-running true-crime podcasts. Hosted by Mark and Bethan, the show has surpassed 16 million downloads since its launch in 2018 and has built a highly engaged international community. The podcast will continue its weekly release schedule under the Mercury banner, alongside early-release episodes and bonus content for Patreon supporters when it moves over to its new home in January.

Mark and Bethan say: “We’re so excited to be bringing Seeing Red to Mercury in the new year. The show has just surpassed 16 million downloads since launching in 2018, and it feels like the perfect moment to start this next chapter. Mercury has a real passion for supporting bold, independent podcasts, and we can’t wait to see where this partnership takes us.”

Finally, building on the success of Seeing Red, Mercury will also launch Dead Famous on 12th January 2026, a brand-new podcast created and hosted by Mark Randell. The series will explore the lives, deaths, and legacies of the world’s most iconic celebrities, blending biography, true crime, and cultural history. Dead Famous offers an addictive and reflective look at fame, influence, and the darker stories behind some of the world’s most recognisable names.

Mark says: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be launching Dead Famous with Mercury in the new year. Mercury has a solid reputation for championing independent podcasts that do things differently, and Dead Famous fits right in as it’s a dark, addictive dive into the lives (and deaths) of the world’s most intriguing people. I can’t think of a better home for it.”

Commenting on the new signings, Mercury Podcast Network Founder and CEO Liam Heffernan says: “True crime remains one of the most powerful storytelling spaces in audio, but it demands creators who approach it with care, depth, and integrity. Rae Review, Mark, and Bethan are among the most compelling voices working in the genre today, and we’re incredibly proud to welcome them to Mercury. These partnerships mark an exciting step forward for the network and for the independent creator community we’re building.”

The three shows will all launch or join Mercury Podcast Network in January 2026.