Channel 4 announce ‘Marilyn Manson: Unmasked’ documentary

Channel 4 have announced details of a new Marilyn Manson documentary, which explores his rise to fame and allegations of abuse.

The documentary is structured as three episodes and is set to show how the controversial musician rose to prominence, as well as the accusations of abuse that have come to light in recent times.

According to a press release, it looks to “unravel the shocking story of one of rock music’s most polarising figures. From his meteoric rise as the self-proclaimed ‘Antichrist Superstar’ to the chilling abuse allegations that have engulfed his career”.

It will also contain archive footage and a range of interviews with those who know Manson and claims to “dive deep into Manson’s world to separate fact from fiction”.

The first episode will depict the artist – whose real name is Brian Warner – as he adopted the Marilyn Manson persona and emerged from the Florida alt-rock scene in the ‘90s. This includes his on stage antics and controversial image, as well as the ways that he connected to American youth.

This is followed by an episode that centres around the number of allegations that have arisen in recent years. Here, interviews are included with his ex-partner Evan Rachel Wood. Back in 2021, the Westworld actor publicly accused Manson of abuse – claiming that he started grooming her when she was a teenager and “horrifically abused me for years”.

The singer consistently denied all allegations raised by Wood and the following year took legal action against the actor, claiming in a lawsuit that she “recruited, coordinated, and pressured” other women to make false statements. Wood responded at the time that she was “not scared” of Manson’s defamation lawsuit, adding that “this is part of the retaliation that keeps survivors quiet”. The case’s key claims were dismissed in May of 2023 and Manson dropped the defamation lawsuit against Wood last November.

Finally, the final of the three episodes in the Channel 4 documentary explores the aftermath of the allegations and the implications it has had on the music industry. It also explores other allegations that have been made against the artist and police raids that took place.

Marilyn Manson: Unmasked is set to air on Channel 4 between Monday January 13 and Wednesday January 15. Watch the official trailer above, which includes archive footage and clips from the interview with Wood.

As well as Evan Rachel Wood, another actor who came forward with allegations against Warner was Game Of Thrones star Esme Bianco.

In 2021, Bianco went public with her accusations against Warner, claiming that the singer’s alleged abuse (occurring between 2009 and 2011) had made her “[feel] like a prisoner”. Months later, the actress formally filed a lawsuit against both Warner and his business, Marilyn Manson Records, Inc.

The lawsuit alleged sexual assault, physical abuse and human trafficking. Warner has denied all allegations, calling the claims “horrible distortions of reality”. In January 2023, the lawsuit was dropped with both parties reaching a settlement out of court. The exact terms of the agreement are unknown.

Last year, Bianco hit out at Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón over what she described as the “mishandled” rape allegations against Warner.

She said the last four years of waiting for the prosecutor to make a decision over the allegations was “absolute agony”, adding that she has had to “hound” the District Attorney’s office for updates. In October 2024, Gascón revealed that their investigations into the musician were under review by the office’s Sex Crimes Division.