BBC Documentaries
Season 2024
Documentaries produced by or for the BBC
Where to Watch Season 2024
213 Episodes
- Peaky Blinders: How We Made Them DanceE3
Peaky Blinders: How We Made Them DancePeaky Blinders writer and creator Steven Knight and choreographer Benoit Swan Pouffer of the celebrated Rambert Dance Company discuss the collaboration that resulted in one of the most unexpected and tantalising stage productions of recent years: Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby. - Penelope Keith Remembers... To The Manor BornE4
Penelope Keith Remembers... To The Manor BornPenelope Keith casts an affectionate eye back on the much-loved sitcom To the Manor Born and her role as upper-class Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, who finds herself down on her luck and forced to change her circumstances and home after the death of her husband. Penelope tells the story behind how the comedy came into being, what it was like working with fellow cast members Angela Thorne and Peter Bowles, and the challenges she faced taking on a new role after the huge success she’d enjoyed playing Margo in The Good Life. - Andrew Davies Remembers... Pride & PrejudiceE5
Andrew Davies Remembers... Pride & PrejudiceA truth universally acknowledged is that screenwriter Andrew Davies is one of television’s great ‘adapters’, and here he discusses one of his most successful literary challenges and how he turned Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice into the costume drama series that had a whole nation of viewers gripped. Andrew looks back on how he first approached the novel, describes his processes and explains how he came to make Colin Firth’s Mr Darcey take a swim in a lake without taking his shirt off, thereby creating one of television’s most iconic scenes. - Silverback
E6SilverbackAward-winning wildlife cameraman Vianet Djenguet has been invited by a team of conservationists from the Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Democratic Republic of the Congo to closely document their effort to protect the eastern lowland gorilla, a critically endangered great ape and the largest primate on earth. By living amongst this group of our primate kin for three months, will the habituation of this gorilla family, coupled with Vianet’s extraordinary journey, succeed in the effort to save the eastern lowland gorillas from extinction? - The Cambridgeshire Crucifixion
E7The Cambridgeshire CrucifixionIn 2017, a routine archaeological dig is taking place on the site of a proposed housing development in the village of Fenstanton in the Cambridgeshire Fens. When human remains are found alongside a variety of Roman artefacts, none of the team at Albion Archaeology see anything out of the ordinary. But once the bones are washed back at HQ, something highly unusual is uncovered: a nail through the heelbone of one of the individuals. Could this be evidence of a Roman crucifixion? When they do some research, they find that only one confirmed example has ever been unearthed before, discovered in the 1960s in Jerusalem. To find out more, they call in renowned osteoarchaeologist Dr Corinne Duhig to investigate. - Alan Yentob Remembers... Orson WellesE9
Alan Yentob Remembers... Orson WellesOrson Welles was the genius who changed the face of cinema with his 1941 directorial debut, Citizen Kane, and who became one of the key artistic figures of the 20th century – a great raconteur as well as a great artist, and larger than life in every sense. In 1982, Welles was the focus of a two-part BBC documentary that told the story of his life, The Orson Welles Story, and here, its producer, Alan Yentob, looks back on his encounters with this giant of a man, telling the tale of their behind-the-scenes dealings and explaining why he believes Welles’s legacy is still significant today and why he will always deserve his reputation as a genius of cinema. - Pep Guardiola: Chasing Perfection
E12Pep Guardiola: Chasing PerfectionHow and why has Pep Guardiola been able to revolutionise football? This documentary offers a deep dive into Pep’s relentless pursuit of perfection and the methods and motivations that have led him to leave a lasting imprint on the beautiful game. - Waris Hussein Remembers... A Passage To IndiaE13
Waris Hussein Remembers... A Passage To IndiaIn 1965, a young Waris Hussein was perhaps the only experienced Indian director working in British television and was horrified when he discovered that the BBC was planning a TV adaptation of EM Forster’s A Passage to India without him at the helm. As luck would have it, a twist of fate meant he did end up in the director’s chair. Waris shares fond memories of his experiences, describing the filming challenges involved in portraying a true sense of India, recalling what it was like working with a stellar cast that included the likes of Dame Sybil Thorndike, Cyril Cusak and Virginia McKenna, and outlining the pressure to do full justice to one of the great novels of the 20th century. - Dougray Scott: Bringing Football Home
E14Dougray Scott: Bringing Football HomeDougray Scott delves into Scotland's pivotal role in creating modern football. He examines how Scotland laid the groundwork for the modern style of football and uncovers the story of the early pioneers who created passing and running as a game-changing strategy that would see Scotland dominate football. The documentary also brings to the fore those iconic Scottish players and influential figures who were instrumental in shaping football’s modern framework. From the pioneering tactics of influential clubs such as Queen's Park FC to the inspirational leadership of players like Andrew Watson, Scotland's first black international footballer, who captained the Scotland squad in 1881. - Solitude
E17SolitudeÚna Monaghan explores the opportunities that arise when traditional folk music is confronted with new ideas, breaking all the rules. A new feature-length documentary follows the Belfast harpist, composer and sound engineer as she records her latest experimental album, Aonaracht. Úna has spent a lifetime steering the course between science and art, examining the intersections between Irish traditional music, experimental music, improvisation and interactive technologies. Influenced by the work of John Cage, Úna has made the form her own. Aonaracht is one of her most ambitious projects to date, and Úna must now convince other top traditional musicians to embrace the art form she is pioneering: recording an album of solo performances with electronics. - Legends of Harper
E18Legends of HarperColin Harper’s books, music and record company work are more or less unrecognised for their significance to world music in his homeplace of Northern Ireland. Colin works mostly from a tiny box room in east Belfast, and his studio collective, The Legends of Tomorrow, have never played live. This quietly brilliant writer and musician has many fans in the music world, including Bono, Johnny Marr, John McLaughlin and Martin Hayes, as well as a host of other great local and international musicians. - Miners' Strike: A Frontline Story
E19Miners' Strike: A Frontline StoryThis is the story of 15 men and women and one life-changing year on the front line of the most divisive conflict of a generation: the 1984 miners' strike. This documentary tells the story of this year-long conflict by combining archive footage with deeply personal testimony from striking and working miners, their families and the police - with many speaking for the first time. - The Rescue
E21The RescueChronicling the story that transfixed the world in 2018 – the daring rescue of 12 boys and their coach from deep inside a flooded cave in northern Thailand. This film shines a light on the high-risk world of cave diving, the astounding courage and compassion of the rescuers and the shared humanity of an international community that united to save the boys. - Catching a Killer: The Murder of Emma Caldwell
E22Catching a Killer: The Murder of Emma CaldwellThe murder of a young woman. A botched police inquiry. And the BBC Disclosure investigation that helped catch the killer. As the man who murdered Emma Caldwell is finally brought to justice, reporter Samantha Poling reveals a catalogue of missed opportunities by police to catch him. The inside story on how this left Emma’s murder unsolved for nearly two decades, while a dangerous predator was free to continue raping and assaulting other women. - Mexico-US: The Search for Lost Migrants
E24Mexico-US: The Search for Lost MigrantsIn the Sonoran Desert, between Arizona and California, hundreds of migrants crossing from Mexico into the United States lose their way and die, mostly from dehydration, under the 50 degree temperatures of the hottest desert in North America. This border region is the most dangerous land-crossing in the world, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). BBC Mundo followed a group of volunteers, the 'Aguilas del Desierto,' on one of their missions to search for stranded migrants and reach them while alive. The results are not always happy ones. - Discovering the Music of Antiquity
E25Discovering the Music of AntiquityWhen a music score is uncovered deep within the storerooms of the Louvre, musical historians scramble to realise the potential of this piece of papyrus. The text's grammatical features give us a clue to the composer's identity: Carcinus, an author cited by Aristotle in his Rhetoric. His name is engraved on a wall in the Parthenon, and the story of his life offers an insight into the history of Greek musicians, who were revered like gods and welcomed across the Mediterranean to take part in competitions modelled on the Olympic Games. - Sarah Everard: The Search for Justice
E26Sarah Everard: The Search for JusticeThe murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard by a serving Metropolitan Police officer who abducted her as she walked to her home in south London in March 2021 was a watershed moment for the nation. It brought to the fore the devastating issue of male predators within the country's police forces and highlighted the extent of violence against women and girls in British society - an issue recently declared a national priority alongside terrorism and organised crime. This documentary looks at the Met’s investigation into Sarah’s murder, how this devastating crime unfolded and its impact - told by those closely involved in the case from the outset, many of whom are speaking on camera for the first time, including the senior investigating officer, Katherine Goodwin, the prosecuting barrister, Tom Little, and Sarah’s local MP, Bell Ribeiro-Addy. - Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt for MH370
E27Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt for MH370Ten years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board on 8 March 2014, the BBC’s award-winning This World strand looks at whether new radio technology may finally help locate the missing aircraft and asks what lessons can be learned to make aviation safer. - The Last Torch: Singing for AfghanistanE28
The Last Torch: Singing for AfghanistanSince returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have restricted women's freedoms and rights. Girls and women have protested, but faced a massive crackdown. This film follows two sisters who have started a movement called the Last Torch from the secret of their home to defy the Taliban with the power of their voice. The Last Torch got its inspiration from the women protesting across the country and emerged shortly after the Taliban's takeover of power. The BBC's Kawoon Khamoosh has followed them as they risk their lives to fight for freedom. This documentary also features three generations of female musicians who have been resisting the restrictions imposed on them by various regimes in a deeply conservative society. Farida Mahwash is the only female singer who obtained the title of Ustad (maestro) and speaks about opportunities and challenges for female musicians since the 70s. Sonita Alizada, one of the first female rappers from Afghanistan, has been using her stage to challenge tra - The Zaks Affair: Anatomy of a Fake Collection
E30The Zaks Affair: Anatomy of a Fake CollectionA huge collection of the Russian and Ukrainian art was put on sale in Europe. Paintings were sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds and made their way into European and American museums. It was said to include over 200 oil paintings of some of the most treasured Russian and Ukrainian constructivist artists, such El Lissitzky, Exter, Goncharova, Popova and others, putting it among the largest in the world. - People Just Do Nothing: Big in JapanE31
People Just Do Nothing: Big in JapanChabuddy G has some tremendous news for Kurupt FM. Tracking MC Grindah to his post round and DJ Beats at the bowling alley where he works, he informs them of the success of Bang, Bang, their most popular track. It is being used as the theme tune for a Japanese TV game show, and the gang have been offered a tour in Japan. - Strike! The Women Who Fought Back
E32Strike! The Women Who Fought BackForty years ago, one of the longest and most hostile industrial disputes Britain had ever seen erupted across the country. Coal miners from all over Wales took to the picket lines to save their pits and their jobs. But it wasn’t just the men who decided to fight. - The Story of Microdisney: The Clock Comes Down the StairsE35
The Story of Microdisney: The Clock Comes Down the StairsIn 1980, two Cork outsiders, Cathal Coughlan and Sean O’Hagan, met at a New Year's Eve party. Bonding over music, a friendship and songwriting partnership was ignited; the band they formed, Microdisney, was one of the best bands of the 1980s that you’ve probably never heard. Mixing Sean’s stunning melodic arrangements with Cathal’s poetic, angry lyrics, they recorded three brilliant LPs, gained critical adulation and an obsessive cult following. But a hit single eluded them, as did radio play and LP sales. By 1988, frustrated by their lack of progress, the band crashed and burned, leaving a trail of acrimony and broken friendships. - Anita Brookner on Art: 100 Great Paintings
E36Anita Brookner on Art: 100 Great PaintingsAnita Brookner, art historian, TV presenter and author of the Booker Prize-winning Hotel du Lac, added to her accomplishments in the 1980s by sharing with television audiences her understanding and appreciation for some of the finest works by the world’s greatest ever painters. - India's Mothers: Bearing the HeatE38
India's Mothers: Bearing the HeatNew research in India suggests heat can double the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage. It comes as the World Health Organisation warns that pregnant women and babies face some of 'the gravest consequences of all' as a result of climate change. The BBC's global health correspondent Tulip Mazumdar reports from southern India. - Strike! The Village That Fought Back
E39Strike! The Village That Fought BackForty years after the miners' strike, this documentary tells the story of Polmaise Colliery, whose workers were the first to walk out and the last to go back to work. Hearing from miners who were on the frontline, and family members and journalists who covered the strike, this documentary reveals the inside story of the miners who went on strike for 56 weeks to save the last village pit in Scotland. - Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods
E40Ukraine: Enemy in the WoodsA single Ukrainian infantry company find themselves in a life or death battle to defend the eastern front against intense Russian attacks. This is an extraordinary portrait of lives compromised by the turmoil of Europe’s bloodiest war in living memory, filmed by Ukrainian soldiers. With exclusive access to a tightly controlled frontline, the film follows the mission of a special battalion as they undertake a single deployment on one of Ukraine’s most violent battlefronts, a snow-covered forest near Kupyansk. Their mission is to defend a railway line, a key strategic asset that, if captured, will enable Russia to mount a direct attack on Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv. - The Secret Army
E42The Secret ArmyThe true story of a strange, lost film. In 1972, the IRA allowed an unusual documentary crew to film its members carrying out attacks. Right at the bloodiest point of the Northern Ireland conflict, IRA bombers were filmed unmasked, and most of its underground leadership appeared on camera. The film looked like a propaganda coup, before disappearing and going largely unseen for almost 50 years, with the IRA never allowing anything like it to happen again. The unearthing of the film sets Darragh MacIntyre off in search of the men who made it, the bombers who willingly showed their faces on camera, and the reason for its disappearance. In doing so, he finds himself following the footprints of spies. - Alan Yentob Remembers... Ella FitzgeraldE43
Alan Yentob Remembers... Ella FitzgeraldAlan Yentob shares the fascinating story of how the 1974 broadcast of the great Ella Fitzgerald singing in Ronnie Scott’s nightclub came about. In a tale of tenacity combined with new camera technology, Alan recounts how, as a young TV producer, he managed to persuade Ella’s manager to let the BBC film Ella in full flight at London’s home of jazz, capturing forever what is now considered to be a performance of true musical significance. - Tish
E44TishMother, fighter and visionary photographer - Tish Murtha emerged from the north east in Thatcher's Britain to expose the struggles and triumphs of her local community. Tish's daughter, Ella, uncovers her poignant story in this heartfelt documentary, piecing together a portrait of a woman who wielded her camera as a tool to celebrate overlooked working-class lives and to strive for social change. Tragically, Tish died aged 56, her work relatively unknown, but now, Ella unlocks the doors to her mother's long-hidden archive. Inside, a treasure trove of unseen images, personal artefacts, letters and diaries awaits, revealing the true essence of this enigmatic artist. - William Gaunt and Marcia Warren Remember... No Place Like HomeE45
William Gaunt and Marcia Warren Remember... No Place Like HomeActors William Gaunt and Marcia Warren reunite for a look back at No Place Like Home, the BBC sitcom that ran from 1983 to 1987, and which made them two of the most popular TV stars of the day. William played Arthur Crabtree, a father of four who is looking forward to the freedom of having his children finally leave home, now struggling to come to terms with the realisation that their fleeing the nest seems increasingly unlikely to ever happen. Marcia was the Crabtree’s nosey, noisy and animal-obsessed neighbour Vera Botting – another fly in Arthur’s ointment. Off screen, William and Marcia were firm friends, who now come together to remember their experiences of making the series and share some fond memories of life behind the scenes on a hit TV comedy. - Paul Abbot Remembers... Clocking OffE46
Paul Abbot Remembers... Clocking OffAcclaimed screenwriter Paul Abbott tells the story behind the creation of his 2000 Bafta-winning drama series Clocking Off, which ran for four series until 2003. Set in a Manchester textile factory, each episode focused on the home life, relationships and struggles of a different individual character. The series was notable for its incredible casting, featuring an ensemble of some of the biggest stars of the day and an impressive selection of young actors who would go on to become some of television’s most recognisable faces. Among a long list of acting talent were the likes of Sarah Lancashire, Siobhan Finneran, Christopher Eccleston, John Simm, Philip Glenister, Maxine Peake, Diane Parish, Lesley Sharp and Sophie Okonedo. Paul looks back on how he and the team managed to bring them together with a collection of stories that captured the experiences of the north of England at the turn of the century, and made for truly compelling viewing. - More ABBA at the BBC
E48More ABBA at the BBCAs ABBA mark 50 years since winning the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, it's time to take another voyage into the archives for more of the Swedish supergroup’s best BBC moments. As well as looking back, this collection brings things right up to date, capturing the excitement and sounds of their recent, technologically pioneering stage shows. Sitting alongside the new material are plenty of classics that highlight Benny and Bjorn’s fondness for a song title that repeats itself: Ring, Ring, Honey, Honey, Money, Money, Money and I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do. And there's also an exclusive performance of the song So Long, which had been lost from the BBC archives and was assumed to be missing forever but has been recovered and restored and is shown again here for the first time since its original transmission in 1974. - Paul Black: Under the InfluenceE50
Paul Black: Under the InfluenceComedian, actor and writer Paul Black is also one of Scotland's biggest stars, thanks to his 350,000+ ardent followers. For this programme, Paul has taken the brave decision to hand his influencing powers over to all of them. They have enthusiastically answered his online post, suggesting an array of wild, wonderful and dangerous challenges that they want to see him undertake – all with the aim of generating some hilarious content. - Rwanda's Genocide: 30 Years OnE51
Rwanda's Genocide: 30 Years OnVictoria Uwonkunda returns to Rwanda for the first time since fleeing the 1994 genocide. Tracing back her escape route from the capital Kigali to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Victoria speaks to survivors of the violence - both victims and perpetrators - to find out how the country is healing through reconciliation and forgiveness. - The Bradford Aunties
E54The Bradford AuntiesExploring community, tradition, love and friendship, this warm, compelling and ultimately moving documentary – with unprecedented access to the UK’s south Asian community – follows aunties Rubina, Ghazala and Tahera attempting to pull out all the stops as they head towards an all-singing, all-dancing coach trip. All in the name of preserving their Asian culture for the next generation. - Eileen Atkins Remembers... She Fell Among Thieves
E58Eileen Atkins Remembers... She Fell Among ThievesDame Eileen Atkins takes us back to 1920s France and a fantastic world of foul play, chateaus, dungeons and fast cars in Tom Sharpe’s 1978 adaptation of Dornford Yates's She Fell Among Thieves. Atkins’s performance as the villainous Vanity Fair, where she starred alongside Malcolm McDowell, was among the most sinister and scene-chewing of her career. Here, she recalls how this tale of mystery and murder was brought to life by the deadly femme fatale who always had her claws out and her tongue wedged firmly in her cheek. - Shoulder to Shoulder: Remembered by Siân Phillips, Waris Hussein and Moira ArmstrongE59
Shoulder to Shoulder: Remembered by Siân Phillips, Waris Hussein and Moira ArmstrongSiân Phillips is joined by directors Moira Armstrong and Waris Hussein to look back on the 1974 drama series that told the story of the birth of the women’s suffrage movement. - Young and Addicted: Generation Ketamine
E60Young and Addicted: Generation KetamineThe numbers of people using and getting addicted to ketamine has more than doubled since 2016 in England and Wales, with other countries around the world reporting similar increases. Many of them are under 25. In this film, Rachel Stonehouse finds out more about why are so many young people getting addicted to ketamine, and what support is available to help them. - Britain's Hero Plumber ExposedE70
Britain's Hero Plumber ExposedBritain’s 'hero' plumber and his acts of kindness earned him an army of fans and millions of pounds in donations. Now, a BBC News investigation exposes his company’s misleading social media posts and he’s begging the public for forgiveness. (BBC) - Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeE73
Ian Rankin Investigates: Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeCrime writer Ian Rankin investigates The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Starting with Robert Louis Stevenson's nightmare in September 1885, Rankin traces the roots of this story, which stretches back to Stevenson's childhood. Grave-robbers, hallucinatory drugs and prostitution all play their part in the disturbing account of Henry Jekyll's double-life, as Rankin's journey takes him into the yeasty draughts and unlit closes of the city that inspired the tale - Edinburgh. - Rooney 2004: World At His Feet
E78Rooney 2004: World At His FeetThe definitive story of the 12 days that changed Wayne Rooney’s life forever. Told first-hand, 20 years on, Wayne reflects on the highs and lows of Euro 2004 in Portugal, a tournament that saw 18-year-old Rooney catapult himself into international superstardom. Loved instantly by England fans for his passion and ferocious will to win, Rooney shocked European football from the opening match against France, stunning the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry with his incredible performances. Michael Owen, a key member of England’s golden generation and a player who experienced his own teenage breakthrough at the 1998 World Cup, gives his own account of sharing the pitch with Rooney, whose four goals in the first three games had England believing this could be their time. But against hosts Portugal in the quarter-final, disaster struck, and Rooney was forced off with a broken foot after 27 minutes. Made to watch his team’s painful exit on penalties from a Portuguese hospital b - Vasa: The Ghost Ship
E82Vasa: The Ghost ShipThe Vasa, the majestic Swedish galleon, sank just after setting off on her maiden voyage. One of the most majestic galleons ever to put to sea, the Vasa sank 18 minutes after leaving Stockholm harbour on her maiden voyage in 1628. The loss of the Vasa was a major setback for Sweden's ambitions to become a power in the Baltic during a turbulent period of European history. Three centuries ater, in 1961, the wreck of the Vasa was raised. Remarkably well-preserved by the mud and water in the Baltic Sea, she is a 17th-century time machine. - Wendy Craig Remembers… ButterfliesE83
Wendy Craig Remembers… ButterfliesCarla Lane’s Butterflies was one of the best-loved sitcoms of the 1970s, following the life of frustrated housewife Ria, living in a male-dominated household with her husband Ben and two sons, Adam and Russell, and tempted by the potential excitement of an affair with successful businessman Leonard. Wendy Craig starred as Ria, and here she looks back fondly on her experiences working with Carla Lane and the cast, the response from male viewers to the possibility that Ria might commit adultery, and how she became television’s most notoriously dreadful cook, yet still managed to publish a best-selling cookbook. - Meet Steve ClarkeE88
Meet Steve ClarkeScotland manager Steve Clarke sits down with BBC Sport Scotland's Tom English for an in-depth interview that provides a rare insight into the experiences and influences that shaped his career. Clarke talks about his formative years, moving to Chelsea with a young family, management and what it means to lead the Scottish national team to this summer's European Championships in Germany. - The Rory Gallagher StoryE90
The Rory Gallagher StoryRory Gallagher was the original Irish guitar hero, whose artistry with a battered ’61 Stratocaster became the stuff of legend. Bob Dylan and Muddy Waters admired him, the Rolling Stones tried to hire him - and his fans worshipped him. Clad in faded denim and a checked shirt, he sold 30 million records and became a charismatic icon of Irish music, inspiring musicians such as Brian May, The Edge, Slash and Johnny Marr. - Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed BritainE93
Michael Mosley: The Doctor Who Changed BritainMichael Mosley transformed the lives of millions of people. In this programme, we look back at an extraordinary broadcasting career which spanned almost 40 years. Fronting series such as Trust Me I’m a Doctor and the hit podcast Just One Thing, Michael used his warm, often funny approach to deliver important, life-changing health messages. - Town of SteelE103
Town of SteelAs thousands of steelworkers’ jobs hang in the balance, the town of Port Talbot is facing a crisis. We go back 15 years to catch up with those who fought to keep the plant open to see what lessons can be learned. Will any election promises be enough to save the town, or have they arrived too late? - Trevor Eve Remembers… Waking the DeadE105
Trevor Eve Remembers… Waking the DeadFrom its first appearance on our screens in 2000, Waking the Dead had viewers gripped by the activities of Detective Superintendent Peter Boyd and the ‘cold case’ unit he led, investigating unsolved murders from the past with the help of the forensics and psychological profiling experts within his team. Playing DS Boyd over nine series and for eleven years was actor Trevor Eve, who here casts his own forensic eye over the past - looking back on how the series came together, explaining the psychology needed to stay fresh in a high profile role for such a sustained period of time, and analysing what it was like to be part of a series that was such a hit with audiences in the UK and across the world for so long. - Karl Jenkins: The Composer behind the MoustacheE108
Karl Jenkins: The Composer behind the MoustacheDocumentary profile paying homage to the world’s most performed living composer, Sir Karl Jenkins, who turned 80 in 2024. His work has touched the hearts of millions globally, transcending traditional genre boundaries. The film incorporates footage from throughout his career to give a complete insight into the many influences on his music: from the Methodist hymn-singing of his Welsh chapel upbringing to his recent commission of a saxophone concerto for Jess Gillam, which is being performed at this year’s BBC Proms. We accompany Karl as he visits, for the first time in 50 years, his grandfather’s town in Sweden, where he spent much of his early childhood. We hear from his colleagues, his fans, fellow musicians and friends and from the man himself as he looks back over an incredible career in music making. This programme celebrates the man, his phenomenal music and yes, that famous moustache. - Trump Assassination Attempt: What Happened?
E109Trump Assassination Attempt: What Happened?An attempt to kill former US President Donald Trump, which injured him, shocked the US and made headlines around the world. Gary O’Donoghue was reporting live from the rally where the presidential nominee came under fire. He examines what we know so far and asks: What went wrong and how did the former president, a current White House contender, come under fire while under secret service protection? - David Olusoga Remembers... Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners
E111David Olusoga Remembers... Britain's Forgotten Slave OwnersHistorian, author and presenter David Olusoga looks back on how his 2015 documentary Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners helped shine a light on the extent of Britain's involvement in the slave trade and the repercussions that has had on our country right up to modern day. David looks at how research undertaken by a team at University College London revealed the true extent of the number of people in Britain who owned enslaved people, and how it was actually far more widespread than anyone had previously realised. He also emphasises that many people were unaware that the compensation paid at the end of slavery was not to the slaves themselves, but to their owners. David discusses how the documentary acted as a precursor to the toppling of statues of slave owners around the UK and how it helped facilitate a wider dialogue about how we should look more critically and openly as a nation at our past in order to move forward. - Richard Harrington Remembers... Hinterland
E113Richard Harrington Remembers... HinterlandActor Richard Harrington looks back on his role as DCI Tom Mathias in Hinterland, the acclaimed crime drama set in Aberystwyth that took a groundbreaking approach to language barriers and inclusivity by filming the entire series in both English and Welsh. Richard outlines the challenges that presented for him and recalls how Hinterland’s gorgeous cinematography and scenes, filmed in some of Wales’s most extraordinary landscapes, elevated the series into something truly special. He also recalls the show’s dramatic impact on his own personal circumstances - helping to inspire his love of cross-country running at a time when it helped him deal with a family tragedy, and as the setting for meeting the fellow cast member who would eventually become his partner and soulmate. - Why Trains Crash
E114Why Trains Crash On the evening of 2 June 2023, a devastating crash involving three trains killed nearly 300 people and injured more than 800 at Bahanaga Bazar station in India’s eastern Odisha state, as two passenger trains collided with a freight train. What caused one of the worst train disasters in modern history? This film forensically examines what went wrong and asks whether it could have been prevented and if enough is being done globally to ensure our railways are safe. - Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam Remember... New TricksE117
Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam Remember... New TricksAmanda Redman, James Bolam and Alun Armstrong, who formed the first incarnation of UCOS (Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad), look back on police comedy drama series New Tricks. - A Storm Foretold: Roger Stone and Die
E122A Storm Foretold: Roger Stone and DieIn October 2018, with Donald Trump's political godfather Roger Stone as his central character, film-maker Christoffer Guldbrandsen set out to follow the Make America Great Again movement. Where was the world’s most powerful democracy heading, and why were so many Americans seemingly turning on each other? Fuelled by Stone’s sloganeering, the film follows the movement to a violent climax on the steps of the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, where lives were lost and hundreds were injured. The 2020 election ended in vicious disarray, but where does Guldbrandsen think the future lies? 'As to the events I witnessed, I believe they were only the beginning. A warning of what is yet to come.' - Can 'Degrowth' Save the World?
E126Can 'Degrowth' Save the World?A group of academics and activists are questioning the possibility of endless economic growth on a finite planet and are advocating for a bold solution: degrowth. Originating in France, the degrowth movement has spread to places like Japan, the UK and Barcelona, taking root in academia, grassroots organisations and among university students. The movement argues for a 'democratisation of the economy' and for collectively managing key resources, like housing. Critics argue that opposing economic growth is impractical and warn of negative consequences, especially for the most vulnerable. We take a look at the theory - and ask what the practice might look like. - Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small Remember... The Inspector Lynley MysteriesE130
Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small Remember... The Inspector Lynley MysteriesNathaniel Parker and Sharon Small look back on popular crime series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries and their characters' unique clash-of-class relationship. - My Alopecia and MeE136
My Alopecia and MeLosing your hair can be life-changing. For the first time medication for the hair-loss condition alopecia areata will be available on the NHS. More than 100,000 people in the UK live with this type of condition. We go on a journey to meet those keen to try the new drug, those who aren’t and those who think the new drug could, potentially, save lives - America’s New Female RightE137
America’s New Female RightAgainst the backdrop of the presidential election, 27 year-old British journalist Layla Wright travels from her hometown in Liverpool to the US, to meet a new wave of women using social media platforms and podcasts to champion extreme views on social media, including content that is increasingly shocking and, surprisingly, anti-feminist. - Jed Mercurio & Martin Compston Remember… Line of DutyE138
Jed Mercurio & Martin Compston Remember… Line of Duty Line of Duty creator, writer and showrunner, Jed Mercurio, and leading cast member Martin Compston grill each other on their personal memories of the BBC’s record-breaking cop corruption series. - Rugby on Trial
E139Rugby on TrialHundreds of former rugby players are lining up to say head injuries have destroyed their lives. The players are accusing the sport’s governing bodies of failing to look after their welfare after the sport went professional. Many of them have been left suffering from long term brain conditions such as dementia, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s. In this programme, Joe Crowley investigates whether enough has been done to protect players from the devastating impacts of concussions and repeated knocks to the head and whether parents can be sure their children will be safe playing rugby at school. As a group legal case gathers momentum, the rugby authorities tell us they will defend the allegations vigorously and explain how they have taken steps to improve player welfare in the modern era, using the best available science. - Strictly: The Story Behind the HeadlinesE141
Strictly: The Story Behind the HeadlinesFor 20 years Strictly Come Dancing has dominated Saturday night TV. But in the summer of 2024, the dance contest became a headline act in the tabloids – for all the wrong reasons. This programme has been updated after the publication of a BBC review into Amanda Abbington's complaints about her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernici. - Slavery on the High StreetE145
Slavery on the High StreetFor seven years, vulnerable victims were trafficked by a gang into the UK and forced to work making food for some of the country’s biggest brands across London and the east of England. In their own words, victims tell the story of a shocking case of modern slavery. - Kirsty MacColl at the BBCE151
Kirsty MacColl at the BBCDescribed by Bono as 'the Noel Coward of our generation,’ the singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl would have turned 65 this year had her life not been tragically cut short in December 2000. Signed at the age of just 19 after being the backing singer for a failed punk band, Kirsty went on to write and record songs that spanned genres, including rockabilly, pop and South American. She had hits like A New England and Days and sang a key part in one of the nation’s favourite Christmas songs, Fairytale of New York. Respected by those who worked alongside her like Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr, Jools Holland and many others, she has left a legacy that is still valued today. This programmes brings together performances that highlight the wit and intelligence of this unique performer. - Trump Shooting: Back to the Scene
E155Trump Shooting: Back to the SceneDonald Trump and his supporters return to Butler, Pennsylvania, where a gunman attempted to assassinate the former US president at a rally in July 2024. Gary O’Donoghue was reporting at the rally when the presidential candidate came under fire. Nearly three months after the shooting, he revisits the community to explore the aftermath of what happened, speaking to some of the witnesses he interviewed on the day, and examines the significance of the Republican nominee's return to the city. - Life and Death in GazaE161
Life and Death in GazaA film made by four Palestinians living through extraordinary times. Filming from the first days of the war, Khalid, Aya, Adam and Aseel document their own lives as they endure bombing raids, multiple evacuations, family separations and reunions, deaths, and even the birth of a new life amidst the chaos. - Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison Remember... All Creatures Great and SmallE163
Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison Remember... All Creatures Great and SmallActors Christopher Timothy and Peter Davison share their memories of working on the popular BBC drama series All Creatures Great and Small. - Trump: The Criminal Conspiracy Case
E167Trump: The Criminal Conspiracy CaseHaving narrowly lost the state of Georgia by 11,780 votes, this documentary follows Donald Trump’s increasingly audacious attempts to allegedly overturn the result of the 2020 US Election and how they led to his arrest and impending criminal trial. - Joan Bakewell Remembers... Bette Davis at the NFTE168
Joan Bakewell Remembers... Bette Davis at the NFT Joan Bakewell looks back fondly on her evening spent with the legendary screen actor Bette Davis in 1972. Joan was in awe of such an icon of the golden age of cinema but was careful not to let that put her off the job at hand. She talks about how they bonded backstage, and how Bette made a wonderful interviewee - kind, warm, interesting and totally delighted to speak to an audience of her fans. - Gemma Arterton Remembers... Tess of the D'Urbervilles
E170Gemma Arterton Remembers... Tess of the D'UrbervillesDavid Nicholl’s 2008 adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles provided Gemma Arterton with her first lead role on television. She joined a cast of young talent, including Eddie Redmayne and Jodie Whitaker, as well as established names like Anna Massey and Kenneth Cranham. - Dance Passion Swansea
E173Dance Passion SwanseaDancers of all kinds take over Swansea’s streets, landmarks, parks and beaches to showcase the city, explore what home means and celebrate the life-enhancing joy of dance. There are solos, duets and ensembles. From ballet, Latin and contemporary to ballroom, breaking, traditional clog and Welsh folk dance. Locations range from Mumbles Pier and skateboard park to Swansea Bay and the dunes, beaches and bays of the Gower peninsula. - Sir Chris Hoy: Finding Hope
E175Sir Chris Hoy: Finding HopeSally Nugent sits down with Sir Chris Hoy for his first exclusive television interview since revealing his cancer diagnosis is terminal. The six-time Olympic champion talks about the heartbreaking moment he told his family and the huge response since going public. He shares how he wants to bring hope to others with stage four cancer, and how he wants to raise awareness and testing for prostate cancer. - Mary Beard Remembers... Ultimate Rome: Empire Without Limit
E176Mary Beard Remembers... Ultimate Rome: Empire Without LimitProfessor Mary Beard is known for her explorations of the ancient world, but here looks back on her more recent past, and the making of her acclaimed four-part 2016 series Ultimate Rome. - Martin Scorsese Remembers… Powell and Pressburger
E184Martin Scorsese Remembers… Powell and PressburgerAcclaimed director Martin Scorsese introduces a season of films on the BBC by the legendary team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, with an overview of why they resonate so strongly with him. - The True Cost of Leasehold
E187The True Cost of LeaseholdMillions of people up and down the country are living in leasehold homes – paying, in some cases, huge amounts of money to companies which own the land and sometimes even the buildings they live in. And a growing number are calling for an end to a system that they say is broken and unfair. In this programme, Hayley Hassall meets those living in the north west who say they are trapped in leasehold homes with unexpected fees and service charges that mean it can be virtually impossible to sell the property. Others are being asked to foot the bill for expensive maintenance repairs, or caught in the middle of rows over the removal of flammable cladding from their buildings. Is enough being done to protect leaseholders from exploitation? And if this complex system is eventually scrapped, who will pay the building owners who stand to lose billions? - I Was There - The Birmingham Pub Bombs
E190I Was There - The Birmingham Pub BombsA night out turns to horror. Victims and first responders reflect on 50 years since deadly terrorist bombs rocked Birmingham and set in motion a chain of events that led to a miscarriage of justice and Britain’s biggest unsolved mass murder. 21 people were killed and 220 others injured when two bombs destroyed the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs in November 1974. - Why Bridges Collapse: The Baltimore Disaster
E193Why Bridges Collapse: The Baltimore DisasterOn 26 March 2024, a 100,000-tonne container ship, the MV Dali, crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Tragically, six people lost their lives, the Port of Baltimore was closed indefinitely and an iconic piece of Baltimore’s skyline was destroyed. In the immediate aftermath of the collision, rescue teams combed the site for survivors, a salvage operation led by the US Army, Navy and Coastguard swung into action, and investigators raced to gather evidence for what caused this catastrophic incident. In the early hours of the morning, the Dali left port, bound for Sri Lanka. But just 49 minutes after its departure, it suffered a series of blackouts which caused the engine and steering to shut down. Despite attempts by the crew to regain power, the ship was on a collision course with one of the main supports of the Key Bridge. Why did the ship lose power? What caused it to veer off course? And why did the entire bridge collapse? - Hunt for the Oldest DNA
E198Hunt for the Oldest DNAFor decades, scientists have tried to unlock the secrets of ancient DNA. But life’s genetic blueprint is incredibly fragile, and researchers have struggled to find genetic material in fossils that has survived for millions of years. Then, one maverick scientist had the controversial idea of looking for DNA not in fossils or frozen ancient tissue – but in the soil. This film follows the scientists deciphering the oldest DNA ever found and revealing for the first time the genes of long-extinct creatures that once thrived in warm, lush Arctic landscapes. - Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland's Girl BandsE203
Since Yesterday: The Untold Story of Scotland's Girl BandsA feature-length documentary unearthing Scotland’s trailblazing girl bands, from 1960 onwards, that are missing from the ranks of global success. These artists were, and continue to be, ignored by the selective bias of a male-dominated industry. - Where the Polar Bears Wait
E207Where the Polar Bears WaitIn one town known as the polar bear capital of the world, melting sea ice spells transformation and danger. While scientists in Churchill, Manitoba, race to understand how to protect polar bears that are threatened by climate change, the town works to keep increasingly hungry bears away from its population. A story of human resilience and respect for nature on the edge of the Canadian Arctic. - From Roger Moore With LoveE208
From Roger Moore With Love"Bond is what every man would like to be and what every woman would like to have between her sheets." So said Raymond Chandler - and it's certainly true of Roger Moore. Friends, family and co-stars take part in this revealing and entertaining look at an iconic, stylish and very British actor. With one eyebrow raised we follow his rollercoaster journey from shy London school boy to knitwear model to global TV heartthrob and his decade-defining role as James Bond. We reveal that the character of Roger Moore – the manner, the charisma, and self-deprecating humour – was his own creation and it took him to the height of fame and a jet-set lifestyle counting Frank Sinatra, Gregory Peck and David Niven amongst his close pals.
