BBC Scotland Commissions Two Titles from Friel Kean Films

October 30, 2025 Jamie Stalcup

BBC Scotland has commissioned Hercules the Bear—A Love Story and a second season of Inside Barlinnie from Friel Kean Films.

The feature-length documentary Hercules the Bear—A Love Story tells the true story of Hercules, a grizzly bear who was adopted at nine months old in 1975 by Scottish wrestler Andy Robin and his wife. They raised him as part of their family.

“There was a lot of human in Herc and a lot of bear in Andy,” said Maggie Robin. “If Andy was a bear, he’d be Herc, and if Herc was a human, he’d be Andy. They were best pals.”

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Executive producer and director Michelle Friel commented, “The story of Hercules is, in essence, a love story between Andy and Maggie and the bear that they made part of their family. It is such a heartwarming story, and we hope that audiences will fall in love with Hercules all over again.”

The second season of Inside Barlinnie will continue to shine a light on life inside Scotland’s most notorious prison. It will go even deeper into the lives of the prisoners and their families, exploring the emotional and practical impact of incarceration.

Executive producer Michelle Friel says, “It is a privilege to be working so closely with the staff and inmates inside HMP Barlinnie, and there are extraordinary stories to follow that shine a light on so much in the fabric of our society,” Friel, also an executive producer on this project, said. “We are so pleased to be able to share their story and work at the cutting edge of documentary making with the recommission of Inside Barlinnie.”

Both projects were commissioned by David Harron for BBC Scotland and iPlayer.

“These latest documentaries from Friel Kean Films again highlight the range and depth of storytelling that they bring to our audiences,” Harron said. “Hercules the Bear—A Love Story is a beautiful film that will connect emotionally with viewers of all ages. And Outside Barlinnie will again have the remarkable access to the lives of prisoners and staff which was the hallmark of the previous series.”