In the dimly lit world of art auctions and dusty canvases, where fortunes can be made or lost in the blink of an eye, BBC One’s Fake or Fortune? has emerged as a riveting detective saga that captivates audiences with its blend of high-stakes drama, global intrigue, and the tantalizing question: is it a masterpiece or a mere mirage? The latest episode, What Happened Next? Helen McNicoll, takes viewers on a heart-pounding journey through the art world, unraveling the mystery of a painting called The Bean Harvest. Purchased for a modest £2,500 by a small-time collector in the English city of Lincoln, this Impressionist-style artwork could either be a life-changing treasure or a worthless fake. With the stakes sky-high and the clock ticking, the show delivers a masterclass in suspense, proving that the quest for truth in art can be as thrilling as any classic whodunnit.

The story begins with David Green, an unassuming art enthusiast who stumbled upon The Bean Harvest at a local auction. What seemed like a routine purchase soon sparked curiosity when David noticed what appeared to be a hidden signature beneath the frame. Could this be the work of Helen McNicoll, a pioneering Canadian Impressionist painter whose contributions to the art world have long been overshadowed? To find out, David turned to the Fake or Fortune?team, led by journalist Fiona Bruce and art expert Philip Mould, a dynamic duo whose chemistry and relentless pursuit of truth make them the Sherlock and Watson of the art world.

From the outset, the investigation is anything but straightforward. The team embarks on a globe-trotting odyssey, tracing the painting’s origins from the quaint streets of Lincoln to the grandeur of Quebec City’s Château Frontenac and an Agatha Christie-esque mansion in Devon. Along the way, they consult a colorful cast of characters: an art restorer scrutinizing brushstrokes, a conservationist analyzing canvas fibers, a biographer shedding light on McNicoll’s life, and a billionaire collector whose interest in the painting could change everything. Each clue uncovered adds another layer to the mystery, transforming what could have been a dry academic exercise into a pulse-pounding narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Helen McNicoll, the artist at the heart of this enigma, was a trailblazer in her own right. Born in Canada in the late 19th century, she defied the odds as a profoundly deaf woman in a male-dominated art world, traveling across Europe with her easel to capture light and color in ways that rivaled her Impressionist contemporaries. Her works, often bathed in soft, creamy hues, evoke a sense of serenity and beauty, but her legacy remains underappreciated. Could The Bean Harvest, last exhibited in 1912 and 1913 before vanishing for over a century, be one of her lost masterpieces? The possibility is tantalizing, but the team must navigate a minefield of doubt, deception, and scientific scrutiny to prove it.

As the investigation unfolds, the tension is palpable. The painting’s authenticity hangs in the balance, with every test and discovery carrying the weight of David Green’s hopes. Early analyses of the canvas and pigments yield promising results, suggesting the work aligns with McNicoll’s techniques. Yet, skeptics in the art world remain unconvinced, wary of forgeries that have plagued the market for centuries. The team’s journey takes them to California to meet a McNicoll biographer, whose insights into the artist’s life provide critical context, and to Canada, where archival records hint at the painting’s provenance. Each step forward is fraught with uncertainty, as the line between a genuine masterpiece and a clever fake grows ever thinner.

The drama reaches its climax when a billionaire collector, Pierre Lassonde, enters the scene. A passionate admirer of McNicoll’s work, Lassonde flies to England to examine The Bean Harvest in person. His verdict could make or break David’s dreams. In a moment that feels straight out of a Hollywood thriller, Lassonde makes an astonishing offer: £300,000 for the painting—a sum that could transform David’s life, allowing him to purchase a bungalow tailored to his medical needs. But is this the final chapter, or does David dare to gamble on an auction at Sotheby’s, hoping for an even greater windfall? The decision is agonizing, and the show masterfully keeps viewers guessing, preserving the suspense until the very end.

What makes Fake or Fortune? so compelling is its ability to weave together human drama, historical intrigue, and cutting-edge science. The show doesn’t just explore art; it delves into the lives of those connected to it—collectors like David, who risk everything on a hunch, and artists like McNicoll, whose stories deserve to be told. Fiona Bruce, with her journalistic knack for asking the right questions, serves as the audience’s guide, while Philip Mould’s expertise and passion for uncovering “sleepers”—undervalued artworks with hidden potential—add depth and authenticity to the narrative. Together, they navigate a world where beauty and deception coexist, where a single brushstroke can mean the difference between a fortune and a fraud.

The broader implications of this episode resonate far beyond the fate of one painting. It raises questions about the value we place on art, the challenges of authenticating works by lesser-known artists, and the enduring allure of discovery. For David Green, The Bean Harvest represents more than just a financial opportunity; it’s a chance to leave a mark on art history, to bring McNicoll’s legacy back into the spotlight. For viewers, it’s a reminder that treasures can be found in the most unexpected places, waiting to be uncovered by those bold enough to look.

As the credits roll, the mystery of The Bean Harvest leaves us with a sense of wonder and anticipation. Will David’s gamble pay off? Will McNicoll’s name finally take its rightful place among the greats? Fake or Fortune? doesn’t just answer these questions—it invites us to join the hunt, to feel the thrill of the chase, and to marvel at the stories hidden within every canvas. For those eager to dive deeper, episodes of What Happened Next? are available on BBC iPlayer, ready to draw you back into this absorbing detective story where art and mystery collide.