Blue Ant Studios & CBC Unveil Peter Nygård Docuseries

CBC has commissioned Blue Ant Studios for Evil by Design: Surviving Nygård, a three-part original docuseries about the disgraced fashion designer Peter Nygård.

The series searches for the truth behind allegations against Nygård and includes firsthand accounts from the survivors who tell their stories of abuse. In addition to exclusive interviews with survivors, it features never-before-seen photos and video footage. Evil by Design: Surviving Nygård is slated to premiere on CBC TV on March 17.

The documentary is based on investigative reporting from CBC News and the audio series from CBC Podcasts, Evil by Design. It examines the culture that kept allegations of Nygård’s predatory behavior over his four-decade career hidden, while spotlighting the whistleblowers who seek to bring him to justice. Today, the suspected list of survivors reaches into the hundreds.

Nygård was arrested and charged with numerous counts of sexual assault and sex trafficking in the State of New York in December 2020. Charges in Canada followed in October of 2021. Nygård has denied all allegations and is currently in custody in Toronto. He has agreed to extradition to the U.S.

Evil by Design: Surviving Nygård is available for licensing outside of North America by Blue Ant International.

Jennifer Harkness, Blue Ant Studios’ senior VP of development and production, said: “Evil by Design: Surviving Nygård gives a voice to powerful stories describing decades of abuse by Peter Nygård and the brave women who search for justice.”

Sarah Sharkey Pearce, showrunner and executive producer, said: “We hope the stories and information uncovered in this series will help shed light on the events that unfolded over four decades, ultimately leading to his arrest and pending trial.”

Sally Catto, general manager of entertainment, factual and sports at CBC, said: “Audiences who have followed this story for over a decade will welcome the perspective and context offered in this new documentary series on how alleged abusive behavior of this magnitude was allowed to flourish. Evil by Design: Surviving Nygård continues to shine a light on the strength of the whistleblowers and survivors who deserve justice and risked so much to tell their stories.”