Genius of Britain

Season 1

Genius of Britain is a five-part television documentary presented by leading British scientific figures, such as Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, James Dyson, David Attenborough, Robert Winston, Paul Nurse, Jim Al-Khalili, Kathy Sykes and Olivia Judson. The series charts the history of some of Britain's most important scientists and innovators.

It was first broadcast on Channel 4 on 30 May 2010.

Where to Watch Season 1

5 Episodes

The First Five
E1
The First FiveA superstar array of modern-day scientists share the history of five polymaths--experts in a wide variety of subjects and fields--who put Britain's brilliance firmly on the map, united by a passion to understand a comet in the sky.
A Roomful Of Brilliant Minds
E2
A Roomful Of Brilliant MindsA second generation of British scientists includes the son of a boat builder, a charismatic risk-taker, an unsung botanist pioneer, and the visionary who kick-started the Industrial Revolution by perfecting the steam engine.
The Lights Come On
E3
The Lights Come OnScience came of age by the early 19th century, propelling Britain to the future with communications delivered at the tap of a finger, electrical power and light conjured from trial and error, focused experiments, and just-discovered equations.
Out Of The Darkness
E4
Out Of The DarknessIn the face of war, courage can manifest itself in myriad ways. From the invention of radar to fend of Luftwaffe attacks to the sheer genius that drove wartime codebreaking, the British scientific community rose to the occasion, creating technologies that still impact our lives today.
Asking Big Questions
E5
Asking Big QuestionsRecent advances probing the secrets of DNA, human nature, and nanotechnology are explored, and Stephen Hawking and Richard Dawkins have a thought-provoking exchange about the future that faces us all.