The BBC show concluded its 3rd season and it has left the fans with some interesting questions.
‘The Fall’ was a crime-drama on the BBC network. It was hailed as one of the best investigative and serial killer shows at the time of its debut in the UK. The show was filmed and based in Northern Ireland. It ran from 2013 to 2016 in three parts with the first dropping 2013, second following in 2014, and the third and latest in 2016. The show captures Detective Stella Gibson’s hunt for the serial killer (Paul Spector) who is on a rampage of killing young working women in the city of Belfast.
Highlights —
- What is ‘The Fall’ about?
- The season 3 ending explained
- What happened to Sally Ann Spector?
What is ‘The Fall’ about?
BBC’s ‘The Fall’ takes us to the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland where a serial killer, Paul Spector, has been terrorizing the residents by his erratic and gruesome killings that target young professional women. Police superintendent Stella Gibson is tasked with the job of catching the elusive serial killer Paul Spector and building a case strong enough to bring him to justice.
After she has worked on the case for quite a bit, Stella realizes that building a strong case would not be a cakewalk as her work is roadblocked every step of the way by law enforcement bureaucrats and her uncaring superiors.
The season 3 ending explained
Despite Stella’s herculean efforts in catching and acquitting the serial killer Paul Spector, he manages to escape justice at the very last moment by taking his own life. When he was being treated as the primary suspect, Paul had adopted the strategy of being amnesiac.
Unfortunately, for him, it did not work out too well as his brain showed no anomalies associated with amnesia. Realizing that he had no other option and feeling the noose around his neck tighten, he chose to end his life rather than face legal justice. Towards the end, the last victim of the Belfast Strangler was none other than his own friend Mark Bailey, a child molester.

Him killing Bailey, given the fact that Bailey had helped him out quite a bit in his criminal case, perplexed some fans but according to the show creator Cubitt, Paul had pent up rage against Bailey and saw it only fit to kill Bailey right before killing himself. It becomes easier to understand when you recall than Paul himself was sexually abused as a kid.
What happened to Sally Ann Spector?
Life truly dealt a bad hand to Sally Ann Spector, the innocent wife of the Belfast Strangler Paul Spector. Not only did she have to put up with her husband’s infidelity on multiple occasions but also suffered a miscarriage that left her harrowed. Actress Bronaugh Waugh (who played Sally Ann) quotes the following in an interview:
“We spent 14 hours that day in there and it was dark, I was crying, and to go through that moment of losing the baby in the prison was very upsetting. I hope I did it justice. It was a role I am very proud of. Certainly, when I was finished that year I needed a break.”
The ending saw the culmination of the manhunt for the notorious serial killer Paul Spector. Paul had to commit suicide in the end as he realised he had no way out and he had been outsmarted by Stella Gibson. Do you think justice was served on the show with Spector’s death? Share your views with us in the comments box below.
