Factual

During the Fremantle Screenings, held in Leicester Square from 23–27 February 2026 as part of the London TV Screenings, rock icon Billy Idol attended the launch of the documentary Billy Idol Should Be Dead.

The film will air on Sky Arts and the streaming platform NOW from 26 March.
Directed by Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund, the documentary explores the life and career of one of Britain’s most influential punk and rock artists. Recently nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Idol rose to international fame after emerging from the London punk scene before becoming a global star during the MTV era.

The documentary blends previously unseen archival footage with new interviews with Idol, his family and collaborators. Contributors include artists such as Miley Cyrus, Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, Nile Rodgers and Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day.

The film traces Idol’s journey from the anarchic London punk movement of the late 1970s to global success in the 1980s, when songs such as White Wedding and Rebel Yell became international hits. It also explores the personal challenges the artist faced throughout his career and how he managed to remain a key figure in rock music almost fifty years after his breakthrough.

The documentary includes rare access to Idol’s family and inner circle, including his late mother Joan, longtime partner Perri Lister and his children. It also reveals how a DNA test led the singer to discover a previously unknown son, Brant.
Commenting on the film, Billy Idol said:“I’m thrilled the documentary about my life, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, will be available on Sky Arts. I hope everyone enjoys watching the film as much as I enjoyed living it all.”

The film had its festival premieres at Tribeca Festival and Sheffield DocFest.
Billy Idol Should Be Dead is produced by Live Nation Studios. Executive producers include Michael Rapino and J. Ralph. Producers are Violaine Etienne, Jonas Åkerlund, Orian Williams, Mark Monroe, Ryan Kroft, Jessica James Batista, Laurence Freedman and China Chow.

Fremantle holds international distribution rights for the documentary, excluding the United States.
The deal with Sky and NOW was negotiated by Facundo Bailez, Head of Acquisitions, and Amy Swinglehurst, Senior Acquisitions Executive at Sky.