Episode 5

New York, 1907. Dr George A Soper, typhoid slayer, undertakes a high-stakes hunt for Mary Mallon, whom he suspects to be an unknowing healthy typhoid spreader. If he finds her, and proves his case, she’ll be the first such typhoid carrier identified in the English speaking world. If he doesn’t, the outcome in a crowded city could be lethal. Dr Soper is determined not to be defeated in his quest to find the Irish immigrant cook. But at what cost to Mary, the woman who would become known as ‘Typhoid Mary’? Also exploring the backgrounds of both Mary Mallon and Dr George A Soper, this is a story of ambition, clashing ideals, and radically different worlds - with consequences for all of us to the present. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Direct quotations from Dr George A Soper, where indicated, courtesy of the New York Academy of Medicine. Series written, presented and produced by Ophelia Byrne Executive Editor: Andy Martin A BBC Northern Ireland production.