TV series
What does it take to catch a killer?
The remarkable story of how murderer Charles Sobhraj was captured. As the chief suspect in unsolved murders of young Western travellers across India, Thailand and Nepal’s ‘Hippie Trail’ in 1975 and 1976, Sobhraj had repeatedly slipped from the grasp of authorities worldwide to become Interpol's most wanted man, with arrest warrants on three different continents.
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Checked Jul 22, 2026
The remarkable story of how murderer Charles Sobhraj was captured. As the chief suspect in unsolved murders of young Western travellers across India, Thailand and Nepal’s ‘Hippie Trail’ in 1975 and 1976, Sobhraj had repeatedly slipped from the grasp of authorities worldwide to become Interpol's most wanted man, with arrest warrants on three different continents.
Cast, crew and production details
Tahar RahimCharles Sobhraj
Jenna ColemanMarie-Andrée Leclerc
Billy HowleHerman Knippenberg
Ellie BamberAngela Knippenberg
Mathilde WarnierNadine Gires
Grégoire IsvarineRémi Gires
Tim McInnernyPaul Siemons
Alice EnglertTeresa Knowlton
BBC OneUnited Kingdom
Mammoth ScreenUnited KingdomWatch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
Bangkok, 1975. Dutch diplomat Herman Knippenberg investigates the disappearance of a young couple who were last seen alive at the apartment of gem dealer Charles Sobhraj.
Directed by Tom ShanklandWritten by Richard Warlow, Toby FinlayGuest stars Alice Englert, Ellie de Lange, Armand Rosbak, Kenneth Won, Amesh Edireweera, İlker Kaleli, Fabien Frankel, Damon Herriman
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 2
Marie-Andrée Leclerc leaves her life behind for the love of Charles Sobhraj but discovers the chilling cost. Herman vows to investigate the murders of the Dutch couple.
Directed by Tom ShanklandWritten by Richard WarlowGuest stars Alice Englert, Ellie de Lange, Armand Rosbak, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Kenneth Won, Amesh Edireweera, İlker Kaleli, Fabien Frankel
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 3
Young Frenchman Dominique Renelleau tries to escape Charles Sobhraj’s terrifying lair. As he listens to Nadine and Remi’s testimony, Herman realises the scale of Charles’s crimes.
Written by Richard WarlowGuest stars Alice Englert, Ellie de Lange, Armand Rosbak, Amesh Edireweera, İlker Kaleli, Fabien Frankel, Chicha Amatayakul, Gigi Velicitat
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 4
Charles embarks on a terrifying trail of destruction in Nepal, while Nadine helps Herman gather the final evidence he needs for the police to act.
Directed by Tom ShanklandWritten by Richard WarlowGuest stars Sahajak Boonthanakit, Amesh Edireweera, Stuart Bowman, Damon Herriman, Apasiri Kulthanan, William Brand, Darshan Jariwala, Pravessh Rana
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 5
Herman and Charles engage in an exhausting battle of wits as Herman continues to pile pressure on the Thai police to prosecute the suspects, while Charles perfects his escape plan.
Directed by Hans HerbotsWritten by Toby FinlayGuest stars Sahajak Boonthanakit, Kenneth Won, Amesh Edireweera, Chicha Amatayakul, Adam Rothenberg, Apasiri Kulthanan, Stacy Martin, William Brand
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 6
The fallout from Gautier’s escape threatens Herman’s diplomatic career. Charles attempts to set up business in France, a place that holds powerful memories for him.
Directed by Hans HerbotsWritten by Toby FinlayGuest stars Kenneth Won, Amesh Edireweera, Nicole Beutler, Adam Rothenberg, Apasiri Kulthanan, Stacy Martin, William Brand, Colin Stinton
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 7
Charles and Marie-Andrée arrive in Paris and attempt to set up a new life. Meanwhile, Herman makes a dangerous gamble in his investigation which finally brings a breakthrough.
Directed by Hans HerbotsWritten by Richard Warlow, Toby FinlayGuest stars Amesh Edireweera, İlker Kaleli, Fabien Frankel, Stuart Bowman, Nicole Beutler, Chicha Amatayakul, Apasiri Kulthanan, Stacy Martin
Where to watch The Serpent
Episode 8
The net begins to close around Charles and Marie-Andrée in India, but the final chapter of Herman’s pursuit of Sobhraj stretches long into the future.
Directed by Hans HerbotsWritten by Richard WarlowGuest stars Adam Rothenberg, Damon Herriman, Apasiri Kulthanan, Stacy Martin, William Brand, Geoffrey Breton, Saana Koivisto, Thomas Ryckewaert
Where to watch The SerpentEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
