BBC Northern Ireland’s long running factual documentary strand True North reflects modern stories from Northern Ireland with three new films.
Starting on Monday 16 February, True North: Staying At Georgie Best’s takes a look at the ongoing global fandom surrounding football legend, George Best as told by the fans who make the pilgrimage to visit his childhood home.
True North: Principal Ballerina is a portrait of dancer Melissa Hamilton; the first person from Northern Ireland to be promoted to the role of Principal Ballerina in the Royal Opera and Ballet.
Finally, former European boxing champion Tommy McCarthy is taking his career from the ring to the stage as he tries to make it big as a stand-up comic in True North: Punchline – Fighting For Laughs.
True North: Staying At Georgie Best’s
George Best’s family home at Burren Way on the Cregagh Estate in East Belfast has been restored to a style that captures the 1960s, when George was at the height of his fame.
Open for tours and overnight stays, it has become both a shrine and a sanctuary for football supporters from around the globe.
True North: Staying at Georgie Best’s captures the stories of those who travel from all over the globe to visit the house and walk in the footsteps of their hero.
For John from Manchester, who visits with his wife Christine, George Best was a boyhood hero. His visit to Belfast is a poignant one, which culminates in an emotional moment at George’s graveside.
Andrew, a self-proclaimed George Best superfan organises an annual ceremony at the footballer’s grave on George’s birthday and retraces the star’s early steps by visiting Nettlefield Primary School where George’s story began.
Manchester United fans Matt and Steve not only watched George Best play but had the rare opportunity to meet him in later years to reflect on the impact George had on the club.
With archive photographs and video footage of George’s playing career and of his time in the house, the film revisits his career and troubled personal life and tells the story of the fans that travel to Belfast. Whether they’re superfans, collectors, or casual admirers, what unites them is a shared affection for a player who transcended sport and inspired millions.
True North: Staying At Georgie Best’s is on Monday 16 February on BBC One NI and BBC iPlayer at 10.40pm.It was made by Ronin Films for BBC Northern Ireland.
True North: Principal Ballerina
Melissa Hamilton is the first person from Northern Ireland to be promoted to the role of Principal Ballerina in the Royal Opera and Ballet.
Her journey began in Dromore, County Down, where her early passion for dance was nurtured at the Jennifer Bullick School of Dance in Lisburn. Unlike many of her peers who entered vocational schooling at a young age, Melissa remained in Northern Ireland for her academic studies, only moving to England at 16 – a start considered exceptionally late by industry standards.
True North: Principal Ballerina captures the immense psychological and physical hurdles Melissa faced after leaving Northern Ireland.
Feeling misunderstood and marginalised within the ballet world, Melissa followed a private teacher to Athens, where she trained with uncompromising focus—refining her technique and building deep mental resilience. She went on to win the Youth America Grand Prix and, shortly afterwards, secured a place with the Royal Ballet. The film profiles a woman who set aside many of the traditional milestones of her twenties in pursuit of technical excellence, revealing the profound personal cost and emotional impact of such a career.
Melissa’s story leads to her promotion to Principal at the age of 36, a milestone that serves as a testament to her belief that no goal is impossible regardless of someone’s starting point or age.
True North: Principal Ballerina is made by Ronin Films and is on Monday 23 February, BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 10.40pm.
True North: Punchline – Fighting For Laughs.
Former European cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy has thrown in the towel on his boxing career, believing he has a shot at fame and glory in the world of stand-up comedy.
However, with a wife and four daughters depending on him, Tommy needs to up his comedy credentials in order to turn his part-time hobby as a comic into a full-time career.
To pay the bills, however, he’s not afraid of the hustle. Along with his podcast and food reviews, Tommy is also taking on a coaching role training his best friend Tyrone McKenna for a home bout in Belfast. All this while trying to make it work in the world of comedy, performing around local bars and clubs.
As he did in his boxing career, Tommy heads to a ‘training camp’ in London to get ready for an appearance at the world famous ‘top secret comedy club’, where some of the biggest names have appeared.
After playing to a 200-strong crowd in London, Tommy faces his biggest challenge yet and a shot at the big time as he supports his friend and comedy mentor Paddy McDonnell at a packed SSE Arena.
He can deliver a punch but can he deliver a punchline?
True North: Punchline – Fighting For Laughs is on Monday 2 March on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer at 10.40pm. It is an Afro-Mic Production for BBC Northern Ireland.
*Transmission details are subject to change
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