Season 2023 2023

TV-PG

Scottish actors Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill take a deep dip into the world of wild swimming, rocking up at some of Scotland’s wildest open-water lochs, rivers and bays in their quirky campervan. They lift the misty veil on Scotland’s unpolished expanses of water and meet some inspirational people along the way.

The story of how a small group of dedicated British music fans paved the way for the first Motown tour of Britain. Some of Motown’s brightest new stars, including The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, arrived in London in 1965 for a tour that would change the face of British music history.

On 5 January 1922, world-famous Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton died of a heart attack in his cabin aboard The Quest during his final expedition to the South Pole. Moored in Norway, The Quest was broken apart. However, one of the dockers had the foresight to remove Shackleton’s cabin. He took it home and it served as his family’s garden shed for three generations.

Nearly 100 years after Shackleton’s death, the cabin has been donated to a museum in the explorer’s hometown, where master craftsman and Shackleton enthusiast Sven Habermann painstakingly restores it to its former glory. With only one surviving photograph of the cabin’s interior, Sven goes to extreme lengths to retrace every detail, from the wood to the original wallpaper used. Shackleton’s Cabin follows Sven as he rebuilds the cabin and explores the life and final days of his hero.

Filmmaker Olly Lambert spends two months on Ukraine’s southern front, gaining unique and privileged access to a group of volunteer special forces on the frontline as they begin the push to retake Kherson that would ultimately change the course of the war.

Lambert’s first stop is Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian city which stopped the Russian advance in the south. The city is still under rocket attack and the fear is of a fresh push from Putin’s forces which could then threaten to cut Ukraine off from the sea and in the process cripple its economy. Yet the Russians are not making any progress, so how are the Ukrainians managing to hold off one of the world’s biggest armies?

Lambert is taken by the city’s mayor, Vitaly Kim, to a secret intelligence centre where ordinary citizens, like architect Alexei, are using their technical skills to build drones for use at the front. In fact the centre is full of civilians aiding the war effort, the whole of Ukrainian society seems to be involved in resist

For the Welsh national cheer squad, nothing means more than representing their country at the highest level. They’re willing to give it everything, but how will they fare in a final showdown for gold against cheerleading superstars Team USA?
Capturing the highs, lows, twists and turns, this empowering film follows the disabled and non-disabled athletes of Team Wales Adaptive Abilities on and off the mat as they prepare for the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida.

He was welcomed at the White House, met billionaires like Bill Gates and counted cricket legend Imran Khan as a friend. Silent since his 2019 dawn arrest at Heathrow Airport, tycoon Arif Naqvi is now seen and heard for the first time.He called himself the ‘flag carrier of impact investing’ - the idea that you can get rich while doing good. Naqvi’s $14bn firm Abraaj invested across the developing world, improving businesses and building hospitals.Then it collapsed - the world’s biggest-ever private equity failure. Now accused of fraud and racketeering, Naqvi maintains his innocence but, if found guilty, faces 291 years in jail. So what went wrong?In a fresh examination of the meteoric rise and dizzying fall of Abraaj and Arif Naqvi, key figures speak out. And personal videos of Naqvi give a glimpse into his three-year-long house arrest.This turbulent tale leaves viewers asking whether it really is possible to deliver profit while doing good.

The documentary takes viewers into the heart of BBC Persian’s newsroom in London as the team covers the unrest in Iran

Shinty’s ancient origins date as far back as the 5th century, when it was believed to be the traditional battle game of the Highlands clans. By the 18th century, it had become Scotland’s most popular game and can lay claim to giving birth to golf, ice hockey, and even the development of football, which borrowed set positions such as defender, midfielder and forward from the game. Today, however, shinty is underfunded and largely ignored outside the Highlands, but it remains strong in the small communities where it began centuries ago.

Historian James Bulgin reveals the origins of the Holocaust in the German invasion of the Soviet Union, exploring the mass murder, collaboration and experimentation that led to the Final Solution.

What happens when your instincts tell you to seek revenge, but your faith demands that you forgive? YouTuber and comedian Humza Arshad explores whether unsettled scores can be left behind.

With access to key individuals who didn’t give evidence at the trial, this documentary explores the hidden workings of the tabloids, PRs and agents connected to ‘Wagatha Christie'.

Historian James Bulgin reveals the origins of the Holocaust in the German invasion of the Soviet Union, exploring the mass murder, collaboration and experimentation that led to the Final Solution.

Documentary exploring an incredible photographic collection which has been unseen for over a century. The images were taken by pioneering Ulster-Scots photographer Mary Alice Young, and now her family is delving into her past to examine her extraordinary legacy.

The unique collection of over 1,000 photographic images was rediscovered in Belfast's public record office, among other items bequeathed there for safekeeping many years ago by Mary Alice’s family. Now, her great-grandson Christopher Brooke is building a fuller picture of his great-grandmother’s life.

Soul singer Dana Masters traces the story of Ottilie Patterson, who for a dazzling few years in the late 1950s and early 1960s was a pioneer of British music. One night in 1959, a 27-year-old female singer took to the stage at Muddy Waters' renowned blues club in Chicago. After a stunning set, a member of the rapturous African-American audience called out: “Hey lady, you sing real pretty. How come you sing like one of us?” The singer was Ottilie Patterson. And she wasn’t black. She wasn’t even American. She was from the small town of Comber, in County Down, just ten miles from Belfast. A rising star of British jazz and blues music, she was the acclaimed singer with the Chris Barber Band who paved the way for bands like The Rolling Stones and The Pretty Things, inspiring their passion for American blues. Why did Ottilie, who became the UK’s first female blues singer to achieve near pop status and perform with legends like Muddy Waters, Ella Fitzgerald and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, disappea

During lockdown, the abuse Emily received escalated dramatically, and she began to share the things she was receiving to understand whether she should be just accepting what was happening to her. To her surprise, so many other women from all walks of life came forward to say it was happening to them too, and that they also just thought it was normal.

Mosses have colonised almost every corner of the earth’s surface. Evolving from oceanic algae that emerged onto the land 450 million years ago, these very first terrestrial plants became one of the main sources of oxygen for our evolving planet, helping to transform it from an arid rock into a lush world.

Kevin Sinfield reflects on his incredible journey to support former teammate Rob Burrow after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019.

At 15, Shamima Begum left London to join the terror group Islamic State. For the first time, her account of what happened is investigated to find the truth.

The demand for weight loss surgery has boomed in recent years. Whether it’s a gastric sleeve, band or bypass, all are touted on social media as ways to shed the pounds. Increasingly, UK patients are choosing to travel abroad, to places like Turkey, for the surgery. BBC Three investigates why that’s the case and how safe it is to undergo such huge operations abroad. Presented by Alex Hollywell-Rolfe.

Throughout the winter, Russia has been attacking Ukraine's power grid, forcing power cuts across the country and doing untold damage with missiles and drones. But an army of Ukrainian engineers has been fighting back in an effort to keep the lights on. Paul Adams has been given exclusive access to the teams involved and the often dangerous environment in which they work.

This film has been years in the making, tracking the rise of Andrew Tate through the meteoric growth of his online following. Invited into Tate’s compound in Romania, where he was recently arrested, journalist Matt Shea enters the world of the social media personality’s multi-level marketing scheme and webcam business.

The film-makers question Tate, challenging him on his stance regarding the treatment of women, which has become a central aspect of his personal brand as well as business practices. Matt Shea meets two women who reported Andrew Tate to UK police in 2015, alleging sexual assault and physical abuse at the time – allegations he strongly denied.

This documentary offers one of the first public platforms for these women to tell their stories.

In the early 20th century, the Ards TT was one of the greatest spectacles in motorsport.

Up to half a million people would line the 13-mile triangular circuit between Dundonald, Newtownards and Comber as some of the world's top drivers duelled around the roads in Northern Ireland.

The race was started in 1928 and racing royalty that included Sir Malcolm Campbell, Tazio Nuvolari or Kaye Don would pilot iconic motorsport marques such as Alfa Romeo, Mercedes and Bentley.

Speeds kept increasing as the years went by, however, it would all come to a shuddering halt on a fateful wet afternoon in 1936.

A musical biography of Linda Ronstadt, one of the most successful and versatile female singers of the 20th century - and one of the most successful recording artists of all time. It tells Linda's story through her own words and music, and by such professional colleagues as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Aaron Neville and many more.

Every year, 30,000 missionaries are called to serve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe - the largest full-time missionary force of any church. Most are under 25 and away from home for up to two years - and the biggest training centre in Europe is located in Chorley, Lancashire.

Shot over ten years and prompted by the death of her father, filmmaker Joan explores Britain’s colonial past and the legacy her dual black and white heritage has had on her life

A celebration of 100 years of BBC broadcasting from Scotland. Live music and chat from actors, musicians, comedians and broadcasters who have all graced BBC Scotland’s screens or airwaves. They share their stories, memories and laughs from across the decades. Hosted by Nicola Meighan.

Each year, people around the world lose millions of dollars to a highly sophisticated scam known as 'the pig butchering romance scam'.

It takes its name from the victims, who scammers call 'pigs' - those they can 'fatten' before 'butchering'. Scammers target individuals on dating sites and social media, posing as attractive, successful professionals. They seduce and manipulate their victims, winning their trust before luring them to invest on sham cryptocurrency platforms.

But behind the fake online profiles is a much darker reality. Those conducting the scams often do so against their will, trafficked to huge, walled compounds in south east Asia. A new investigation by the BBC World Service’s investigations team BBC Eye takes you inside one of these scam compounds in Cambodia, where people from all over the world are locked up, beaten, starved and forced to scam - all at the hands of criminal gangs.

Johnny Kitagawa’s legendary male-only talent agency trained young boys to become superstars. But for over 50 years, Japan has kept Kitagawa’s dark secret – a long history of allegations of sexual abuse, made by boys in his agency. Even after the music mogul’s death in 2019, the Japanese media remained largely silent. Why?

Journalist Mobeen Azhar explores the suffocating reality of being a J-pop idol and the influence that Kitagawa had on the media, and exposes the brutal consequences of turning a blind eye.

A multibillion-pound investment is underway to make our railways bigger, better and faster, and over three years, we go behind the scenes with Wales’s newest rail body as they try to make ambitious promises a reality.

From the boardroom to the platform, we meet those trying to win hearts, minds and more customers, and all in the middle of a pandemic that’s knocked public transport for six. Can they still deliver on time?

Kaye Adams looks at how BBC Scotland has changed over the last 100 years and explores how it has attempted to reflect a changing nation in its comedy, drama and documentaries.

In this heartfelt journey of self-discovery, Christine McGuinness uncovers a hidden world of thousands of autistic women who, like her, have been ignored by science and society.

Told from the inside by the police who were there, this is the true story of Britain's biggest bullion heist.

Jane Corbin investigates how the Taiwan's government and young people are fighting what they say is Chinese disinformation, cyber attacks and dirty tricks.

Journalist Peter Taylor reveals the extraordinary story of how a former undercover MI5 officer put his life and career on the line to encourage the IRA to end its violent campaign and embrace politics

In 2008, student Martine Vik Magnussen was killed after a night out. The only suspect, the son of a billionaire, fled the UK to Yemen. Reporter Nawal Al-Maghafi is determined to speak to him.

In early 2019 Jeffrey Leigh-Jones from Portsmouth got a life coach. Someone to mentor him in life and help him realise his business ambitions.

Two years later, Jeff had sold his house, his relationship was in pieces, and he had handed over tens of thousands of pounds. And he wasn’t the only one. In this eighteen-month investigation for the BBC, journalist Catrin Nye and her team expose control, intimidation and fear at a mysterious life coaching company taking over people’s lives and ripping families apart.

Following a year-long investigation, investigative reporter Simona Weinglass delves into the murky world of online investment scams in an attempt to track down the men at the centre of a billion-dollar crime syndicate.

Simon Reeve is back to visit one of Britain’s favourite counties to discover what life is really like for the locals after the summer crowds have gone.

Landmark documentary featuring Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern recalling the intense negotiations behind the Good Friday Agreement.

Singer-songwriter Eddi Reader recently discovered that her granny and namesake, Sedania, was a shining light in Scottish football. Sadie Smith, as she was known to her teammates, was the superstar left winger of the trailblazing Rutherglen Ladies football team that dominated in the interwar period, despite attempts to push women out of football altogether. In this documentary, Eddi goes on a journey to discover more about her granny’s remarkable football career.

A look at the fashion icon that was Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most flamboyant and recognisable figures in fashion - and one of the most mysterious. His influence was immeasurable, from the Chanel catwalk to the high street - but how many people ever really knew the real Karl Lagerfeld?

Weaving investigations in the present with Lagerfeld’s biography – illustrated by illuminating and much unseen archive footage – this film shows his profound and lasting effect on those around him, including his beloved cat Choupette.

As King Charles III is crowned, Katty Kay sets out to discover what he could learn from Europe’s royal families. They face many of the same challenges as Charles: how to modernise, how to steer clear of politics and how to heal very public family rifts. So how do they handle them – and what’s the point of a monarchy in a 21st century democracy? Travelling from Denmark to Albania, she meets Europe’s modern royals.

This is the story of how a prince became a king, a revealing portrait of our new monarch across the seven decades he spent as heir to the throne. It’s a journey from cradle to crown told almost solely in his own words, from film and television recordings to private home movies and featuring a wealth of material, some of which has never been seen before. As well as drawing on home movies from the Royal Collection, the film-makers were given exclusive access to sequences featuring the prince, shot for the landmark 1969 film Royal Family, including private unseen moments.

Wrexham AFC are one of the oldest football clubs in the world, with a home in the Racecourse Ground that dates back virtually to the dawn of football as we know it. Theirs is a history that stretches back further than most, with drama and memorable moments to rival any club.

A lot happened at Wrexham before they were taken over by two Hollywood actors. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have put a shot in the arm of a sleeping giant. To the fans, promotion is more than just cause for celebration.

This documentary tells the story of Wrexham, past and present, with a blend of archive footage, heartwarming testimonials and footage from the Racecourse Ground today.

King Charles III was Prince of Wales for more than 60 years. From the controversy around his Investiture, to his charity work, his love of the countryside and tradition and his keen patronage of the arts, this programme reflects on the effect Wales and the Welsh have had on the new monarch.

The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant goes behind the scenes at the family firm making ceremonial uniforms for King Charles’s coronation.

Tasked with creating thousands of bespoke uniforms for the big day, the Kashket family have been making spectacular ceremonial wear for four generations. As well as discovering the skill and craftmanship required to create these unique garments, Patrick also meets some of the men and women of the armed forces who will wear them.

As Scotland doesn't have a Eurovision entry of its own, brothers Conor and Tommy Reilly try to sneak into the competition by entering for San Marino.

The definitive story of how Aberdeen FC went from the nearly men of Scottish football to winning both the European Cup Winners Cup and European Super Cup.

The story of how Eurovision is back in the UK as Liverpool hosts for Ukraine.

A look at the relationships and rivalries within The Rolling Stones in their formative years, as well as the creative musical genius of Brian Jones, key to the success of the band.

The inside story of the police investigation into the 1973 murders of three teenage girls. Companion documentary to the new BBC drama, Steeltown Murders.

The story of Father Alec Reid’s complex and controversial peace plan to bring an end to violence in Northern Ireland, which eventually led to the historic Good Friday Agreement.

Musician, actor and dad of three Matt Willis may seem to have it all. He’s part of the hugely successful noughties pop band, Busted, has a flourishing acting career and is happily married to TV presenter Emma Willis, with whom he has three kids. But behind the success, there is one thing that often dominates his thoughts – his addictions. In this raw and honest documentary, Matt opens up about his past and takes an extensive look into his battle with drugs and alcohol, how it has pushed him to the edge, and his daily struggle to keep himself clean and sober. Matt talks about how he constantly lives with the fear of relapse and the pressure that puts on himself and his family.

How Venetians are turning to revolutionary engineering, restoration of the natural environment and knowledge from their past in order to save Venice.

Behind-the-scenes documentary about how Lionel Messi succeeded in lifting the World Cup – the only trophy to have eluded him in an incredible career.

Documentary following renowned Vermeer expert Gregor Weber, curator at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, as he sets up the largest ever Vermeer exhibition.

Weber joins a number of Vermeer enthusiasts and experts who are using the latest techniques to search for what makes a Vermeer truly a Vermeer.

The latest in John Bridcut’s collection of award-winning films about British composers features the life and music of Sir Michael Tippett, who died 25 years ago in 1998.

For many years, Tippett dominated the contemporary classical music scene in the UK. His life spanned almost the whole of the 20th century, and embraced many of the social issues of his time, from pacifism to homosexuality. His most popular work, the oratorio A Child of Our Time, made his name in 1944. Provoked by Kristallnacht – the 1938 Nazi-led pogrom against German Jews – it continues to speak powerfully about refugees and persecution.

This performance-based documentary features extracts from the full range of Tippett’s music, specially filmed in Glasgow with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Bearsden Choir.

When the great Barry Humphries passed away last month, the world said goodbye to a comedian whose antics had for years had kept presenters, interviewers and chat-show hosts on their toes, half-excited and half-terrified of what outrageous statement he, Dame Edna Everage or Sir Les Patterson might utter on live television.

Alex Jones looks back at the highlights of Barry’s career on a selection of BBC shows, sharing her own memories alongside some of Barry’s funniest, rudest and most revealing moments from over the decades. It’s a collection that demonstrates exactly why Sir Les and Dame Edna were loved by comedy fans across the world while also highlighting how, while his two comic creations may have got all the attention, it was Barry who was really one of a kind.

A deep dive into one of the fiercest rivalries in sport. Unearthing stories from the most unforgettable series, a look at what it takes to lift the most famous cricket trophy, the Ashes urn.

Through in-depth interviews with cricket legends including Ben Stokes, Jimmy Anderson and Glenn McGrath, this documentary relives the on-field heroics and lifts the lid on the behind-the-scenes turmoil, revealing a darker side to the pursuit of success.

A look at the bitter legal battle taking place for a decade over allegations of unlawful information gathering at some of Britain’s biggest newspaper groups.

Told through the testimonies of alleged victims who claim they were targeted unlawfully by the papers - including Sienna Miller, Hugh Grant, Steve Coogan, Heather Mills, Shobna Gulati and Sir Simon Hughes, as well as private individuals who were caught up in the news - this documentary unpicks the evidence and claims emerging out of the civil courts in unprecedented detail.

A thousand years ago, many millions of whales dominated the sea, with their ancient behaviours vital to the well-being of the oceans. These marine mammals are the ambassadors between one world and another, land and sea, their close communities only now being truly researched and understood. They are still a keystone species in our fragile ecosystem today, with crucial impact on our seas and the life contained within them. But whaling decimated their numbers over the last 150 years, in particular the whaling industry run by the KGB during the Cold War.

In a basement in Odessa, top-secret Soviet whaling reports record the unimaginable number of whales killed. This film tells how surviving members of the Soviet leadership, and original Soviet whalers, uncover these secret records, allowing us to understand the magnitude of historical whale populations and the shocking impact of commercial whaling.

The jaw-dropping story of the rise and fall of British music and festival company Pollen, who went bust in 2022 while still owing tens of millions of pounds to staff and customers.

Just days old and very vulnerable, baby monkey Mini was taken from her mother in the forest and sold to a YouTuber. She became a celebrity in a global online monkey torture ring.

The people who wanted to do something to Mini, who were willing to pay to see her suffer, were on the other side of the world - mainly in the US and the UK. Mini was just one of thousands of monkeys being abused and filmed for the clicks and likes of westerners.

Rose Ayling-Ellis takes us on a personal journey into the deaf experience and asks whether attitudes are finally changing.

In September 2022, a 22-year-old Iranian girl, Mahsa Amini, died in police custody. She had been arrested by Iran’s religious police, accused of not wearing her hijab properly. The authorities said she had died of a heart attack, but rumours spread that she had been beaten on arrest. Citizens took to the streets in their thousands in fury.

This is an extraordinary and shocking insight into what has been happening across Iran, revealing a regime under huge pressure and resorting to extreme cruelty to control its citizens.

This film follows the life of an extraordinary woman who revolutionised modern nursing and whose legacy continues to benefit millions.

Born into a rich English family, Florence Nightingale broke through social and gender barriers to pioneer a profession previously reserved for men. Dedicating her life to helping those in need, she was a trailblazer who led a group of nurses to care for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War and developed revolutionary views about hygiene and sanitation.

Hailed as a heroine by Queen Victoria and the British people upon her return from the front, Florence went on to establish the Nightingale Training School for Nurses and reform healthcare at home and abroad.

Florence Nightingale died in 1910 aged 90, leaving behind an inspirational legacy.

Radio 1Xtra DJ Tiffany Calver explores the response to UK drill – a popular but controversial genre of rap – by the authorities, who blame it for a rise in violent crime.

Having seen its explosion from humble beginnings to a genre that now tops charts all across the world, Tiffany has also seen the spotlight that the police and courts have put artists under.

With increased policing, stringent criminal orders, digital surveillance and tougher sentences for artists, Chinx (OS), a drill artist, has risked his freedom with every song he has released.

His success could see him turn a new leaf and leave behind a chequered past. But that success is at the heart of a debate over freedom of speech and crime prevention that has played out in the media, newspapers and courtrooms.

With police scrambling to quell the rise in gang violence and artists criticising the lack of clarity around their policing, Tiffany is on a mission to find an answer.

In October 2022, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, drew widespread condemnation after wearing a White Lives Matter T-shirt at his Paris Fashion Show. That controversy was swiftly followed up with a series of antisemitic statements on social media. With his dangerous statements making global headlines, Ye doubled down by sharing dangerous and inflammatory mistruths during a series of interviews. In the face of backlash, Ye told the paparazzi that he was planning to run for president of the United States in 2024.

Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s recent behaviour and his rumoured 2024 presidential campaign, this documentary sees award-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar travel to the United States to try and discover how one of America’s most celebrated artists became a megaphone for hate and division.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush to British shores in 1948, this documentary follows a remarkable project spearheaded by the King, who has commissioned ten leading artists from Britain and abroad to create portraits of ten pioneering members of the Windrush Generation.

The completed portraits will become part of the Royal Collection and stand as a lasting memorial to all the men, women and children who came to Britain from the Caribbean and gave so much of themselves to rebuild a nation devasted by war.

Featuring first-person testimony from the Windrush sitters, many of whom are in their 90s, as they speak frankly about their experiences of arriving in Britain, making lives for themselves and the overwhelming contribution they have made to their communities and the nation as a whole.

Gyles Brandreth remembers the comedy and musical duo Hinge and Bracket.

Documentary that follows Joe Swash as he explores the stories of teens in care over the age of 16, the largest-growing cohort in both child protection and care.

After shooting to global fame with Wellerman, ‘sea shanty guy’ Nathan Evans is back and trying to forge a career for himself in the pop world - but is he just a one-hit wonder?

At its peak, The Black and White Minstrel Show was watched by a Saturday night audience of more than 20 million people. David Harewood goes on a mission to understand the roots of this strange, intensely problematic cultural form: where did the show come from, and what made it popular for so long?

With the help of historians, actors and musicians, David uncovers how, at its core, blackface minstrelsy was simply an attempt to make racism into an art form, and can be traced back to a name and date

8 June 2023. A shark attacks a 23-year-old Russian man swimming just metres from the beach in the Red Sea vacation resort of Hurghada, Egypt. Horrified tourists watch from the shore. His injuries are so severe that he dies before help can arrive. Within hours, videos of the attack spread on social media. It comes less than a year after two women were killed by sharks in the space of two days on the same stretch of coast. A spate of killings like this is unprecedented in the Red Sea.

Is Andrew Tate behind a secret society that grooms women into online sex work? And could someone else be behind him? Matt Shea reveals the truth behind Tate and his 'War Room.'

The definitive story of the 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand – arguably the greatest final ever played in any sport. It’s a tale of courage and comradeship. It reveals the human dramas lying behind one of the greatest days in England’s sporting history.

Luke discovers 'dad' is not his biological father and that he is mixed race. That triggers a search for a bartender called Carlos, who his mum met on a girls’ holiday in the 90s.

Film following Nasa psychologist Dr Al Holland as he prepares Mars-bound astronauts for the psychological demands of a three-year absence from Earth.

Award-winning documentary maker Michael Cockerell is a master of the political profile, with a reputation for uncovering the human side of the men and women of Westminster and for really getting under the skin of the great, the good and the not-so-good who have governed postwar Britain.

Here, Michael looks back on one of the most challenging encounters of his long career and recounts what it was like dealing with former Conservative prime minister Edward Heath, the man who took us into the forerunner of the European Union but wanted us all to keep very much out of his private life.

What connects amateur sleuths turning up at crime scenes, antisocial behaviour in UK schools and French riots? This film finds evidence they are all examples of TikTok 'frenzies'.

Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin goes in search of his favourite birds of prey, travelling around the UK to find them and meeting the people who are fighting to protect them.

The story of original influencer Coco Chanel, whose designs still represent the zenith of female sexuality, style and power.

Political interviewer Michael Cockerell introduces his acclaimed profile of Roy Jenkins, the man who, as home secretary in the 1960s, helped transform British society.

Acclaimed political profiler Michael Cockerell tells the story behind his encounter with one of the grand dames of Westminster, the formidable Labour MP Barbara Castle.

A female icon of the left, Castle stood out from the herd thanks to her unique charisma, steely nature and her ability to leave members of the opposition, let alone the opposite sex, completely tongue-tied.

In her conversations with Michael she speaks openly about the two great love affairs of her life, and the man she was currently keeping an intimidating watch over, the newly elected Labour leader Tony Blair.

David Tennant looks back on the role he time-travelled into after leaving the Tardis, playing Hamlet in Greg Doran’s award-winning 2008 production for the Royal Shakespeare Company. David’s portrayal was described at the time as ‘athletic, and immensely engaging’, full of ‘vigour and wild humour’ and ‘the best great Dane in years’.

Here, he talks about his approach to the part, performing opposite Patrick Stewart, who played the role of Claudius, and the reaction he got when the production became a hit with BBC audiences when it was screened on Boxing Day 2009.

Dame Janet Suzman looks back on her role as Joan of Arc in the BBC adaptations of Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses.

Under the direction of John Barton and Peter Hall at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Janet delivered a highly acclaimed performance, and here she recalls the challenges she faced playing a figure as iconic as Joan. She explains how these groundbreaking productions brought a modern relevance to conflict between the Houses of York and Lancaster and shares memories of working with fellow cast members, including Donald Sinden and the great Peggy Ashcroft.

Gregory Doran, former artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, looks back on the challenges he faced bringing together a cast of acclaimed actors and even members of the royal family for his 2016 live BBC extravaganza marking 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare.

Gregory explains how he managed to pull off the project and recalls the journey that transformed early ideas into to a huge popular success that resonated with critics and television viewers alike. He also shares his memories of working with the likes of David Tennant, Catherine Tate and a host of acclaimed Shakespeareans, and explains why he thinks the Bard remains so relevant even today.

James Blake - a 30-year-old entrepreneur from Lisburn - was living the Insta-dream until someone scraped his accounts. He started getting messages from people accusing him of conning them out of tens of thousands of pounds.

As he sets out to try and get his face and name back, James discovers a dark and utterly heartless modern-day crime wave where ruthless organised gangs are using the very latest technology to prey on our age-old desire for love, companionship and success, all to scam blameless victims out of money.

James’s attempt to find out more and get his online identity back takes him on an international journey, and he discovers that it’s not only those being conned who are the victims here - many of those carrying out the con are also suffering at the hands of the gangs behind this modern-day crime.

A celebration of one of the most successful Anglo-American musical partnerships of all time with a look into the BBC archives for Fleetwood Mac's finest performances. This programme charts their development from a blues band, performing such hits as Albatross and Oh Well in the 1960s under the direction of founder members Peter Green and Mick Fleetwood, to pop rock stars in the 1980s with their seminal album Rumours. Featuring interviews with and solo performances from band members such as Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie as they went their own way at various points in their career.

As part of the sixtieth anniversary celebrations of Doctor Who, David Tennant time-travels back through the BBC archives to tell the story of the Doctor's classic era, with a selection of rarely seen interviews and clips covering William Hartnell's first incarnation right through to the seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy.

On a daily basis, Roman Kemp is contacted by young people who are struggling. With people turning to him for advice, he’s questioning whether or not there is a worsening mental health crisis and asking if these young people should be offered more support in their own communities.

In this powerful and candid film, Tara Mills goes on a personal journey and delves into the prevailing mental health and suicide crisis affecting Northern Ireland, 15 years after her brother died by suicide..

Twenty love poems are weaved together to create a fresh and original story set in contemporary Britain.

Including Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day and My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun, four lovers show us how Shakespeare’s words, with their raw emotion and feeling, are as relevant today as they were more than 400 years ago. The four narrators’ relationships are at different stages, from falling in love to moving on.

Featuring EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis along with Eloka Ivo, Eben Figueiredo and Ioanna Kimbook.

Mark Thompson explores centuries of history and a wealth of traditions as he tells the fascinating story of the world’s favourite beverage – tea.

Celia Imrie takes a trip through the BBC’s archive for a celebration of the works of Shakespeare, and an exploration into how the Bard’s biggest plays have been brought to cinema and television screens over the years. It’s a story that’s told through a selection of interviews with stars from the 1950s right up to the present day, with anecdotes and insights revealing how Shakespeare’s plays have been continuously adapted to suit each new generation, capturing changing attitudes to race and gender.

Amongst those featured are the established acting knights Olivier and Gielgud, dames Helen Mirren, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, and the latest wave of big names, including David Tennant, David Harewood and Maxine Peake.

The relationship between The Beatles and the BBC has always been a special and fascinating one. This programme looks back at some key moments that saw the BBC document the band’s journey as they went from Merseybeat heroes with mop-tops and MBEs to seeing out the sixties as long-haired heroes of the counter-culture.

In the early years, an interview on the BBC was something the band would pursue and embrace, but as their fame spread, their TV appearances became increasingly rare. The changing dynamic is captured here through a combination of classic music performances and the very best moments from the BBC’s archives. Songs featured include the fresh sound of She Loves You to the era-defining special performance of All You Need Is Love.

Award-winning film-maker Norma Percy looks back on her acclaimed 1998 documentary series The Fifty Years War: Israel and the Arabs.
Through interviews and analysis from key players of the time, the series forensically detailed the conflict’s origins and key moments, and here Norma shares how the programme came to life, how she gained the trust of some of the most significant figures of the day and what the lessons from history might be.

An investigation into the black market in cut price 'skinny jabs' being sold across the UK. Reporter Pria Rai reveals what’s really in these drugs, and whether they are safe to use.

She meets a young student who accidentally took an overdose of the drug, makes contact with one of the most prolific online sellers, goes undercover to reveal a new market for the drug hidden in plain sight and sends samples for testing – with shocking results.

A look at the life and career of Bernard Levin, who grew up in the poor backstreets of Camden Town and became one of the most famous journalists of the 20th century and a prolific broadcaster on the BBC. For over 50 years, Levin wrote countless influential articles and books on his great enthusiasms - music, theatre and literature - and changed journalism forever with his attacks on political corruption, injustice and the oppression of minorities.

With contributions from Sir Trevor McDonald, Arianna Huffington, Sir Simon Jenkins, Matthew Parris and Michael Billington.

Poet, rapper, playwright and recording artist Kae Tempest is one of the most viscerally exciting artists working in Britain today. They are the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Ted Hughes prize and have been nominated for both the Brit and Mercury music awards.

Tempest has always found support and respect within the queer art scenes, a place close to their heart. In July 2020, they came out as non-binary, announcing that they would publish and perform under the name Kae. This film delves deep into their creative process and gains rare, intimate insights into Kae’s life throughout a period of profound personal and artistic change.

The unbelievable story behind the Loch Ness Monster, and how the search for it has attracted people from across the world for decades. From Japan, the US and across the world, people were drawn to a remote, cold lake in the Highlands of Scotland.

More and more luxury watches are being snatched off UK streets. In 2022, there was an estimated 60 per cent increase in watch thefts worldwide. It is now the crime of choice for many criminals, seen as easier and more lucrative than drug dealing.

The goddess of pop sits down for a fun and in-depth chat with Rylan Clark about her new record, her biggest hits and her incredible life and career. Featuring archive footage from across the decades of Cher's hit records and television appearances, illustrating her glittering music career, her success in film, her iconic fashion choices and the ways she has influenced so many people.

Dame Mary Berry travels to her mother’s homeland of Scotland, where she’s joined by friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes.

National treasure Max Boyce celebrates two major milestones - 50 years on stage and his 80th birthday, in a star-studded look at his incredible career as a comedian, singer, songwriter and 'people’s poet'. In a mix of documentary and performance, Max looks back at his achievements and lifts the lid on his private life at home in Glyneath. From the tragic events that shaped his life to his passion for rugby and his local club, this is a side of Max rarely seen. The programme mines six decades of archive material and features some of his most iconic songs and stories as well as contributions from Rob Brydon, Michael Sheen, Katherine Jenkins, Gareth Edwards and Cerys Mathews.

Nigella returns for a very special Christmas treat when she travels to Amsterdam to enjoy the festive season in the Venice of the North.

Acclaimed stand-up Susie McCabe brings her sensational show Femme Fatality to a sold-out King’s Theatre in Glasgow. From growing up gay in the 80s and 90s, to working on building sites and becoming a successful stand-up comic, Susie McCabe's life is jam-packed with rich material, and the gifted performer delivers a barnstorming evening of razor-sharp punchlines and observational comedy.

Britain’s most gifted musical family, Nottingham’s Kanneh-Masons, visit Austria to walk in the footsteps of Hollywood’s most famous singing family, the von Trapps from The Sound of Music.

All nine members of the Kanneh-Mason family (including mum Kadie and dad Stuart) visit the key movie locations and explore the incredible story behind the film. The seven young Kanneh-Masons also perform their own arrangements of iconic music from the great soundtrack, including Climb Ev’ry Mountain, My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi and Edelweiss.

Ricky Tomlinson sits back in his chair and takes a fond look back at the much-loved comedy series The Royle Family, sharing his memories of playing head of the family Jim Royle and his experiences working with the show’s co-creator Caroline Aherne, who, as well as writing the show with co-star Craig Cash, also played Jim’s daughter Denise.

Ricky talks about how a chance encounter helped him get the part of Jim, recounts what it was like filming some of the show’s most iconic moments, and tries to get the bottom of the origins of Jim’s famous, below-the-belt catchphrase.

A celebration of the unique life and talent of Caroline Aherne, featuring unseen photographs and contributions from a cast of her lifelong friends, including Steve Coogan, Jon Thompson, Craig Cash and producer Andy Harries.

Aherne’s pioneering representation of working class and family life in The Royle Family won her two Baftas and changed comedy writing forever, while her alter ego Mrs Merton’s question to stage performer Debbie McGee - 'So what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?' - has been voted the greatest comedy put-down in British TV history.

magine… follows one of Britain’s most celebrated TV writers as he prepares to once again return as the showrunner of Doctor Who. Back in 2005, Davies was responsible for relaunching the action-adventure series after many years away from our TV screens. Few could have imagined the phenomenon it became. And now, in the programme’s sixtieth anniversary year, he’s back – with two Doctors and bigger ambitions.

imagine… goes behind the scenes at Cardiff’s Bad Wolf Studios to see the adventures of the time-travelling hero being filmed, touring the enormous sound stages and meeting Ncuti Gatwa, the fifteenth Doctor, ahead of his eagerly anticipated tenure as the Time Lord following the unexpected regeneration of David Tennant.

The UK was a different country the last time a monarch was crowned. Now, 70 years on, Charles III has to show what sort of a monarch he will be for a 21st-century Britain.

With exclusive access to the King and Queen Camilla, this historic film follows them throughout the first year of their reign, including unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to preparations for the coronation as well as the day itself. Family and friends also provide their own fresh insights into the way the new sovereign has set about reshaping the monarchy for the 21st century.

Noel Coward grew up in poverty and left school when he was only nine years old.

He was gay in a very straight world. And yet, by the age of 30, he was the highest-paid writer in the world and a star on the Broadway stage, writing, directing and acting in some of the finest plays and movies of all time.

imagine... profiles the UK’s most successful double act of the last 40 years, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, and explores their unique brand of comedy, based on satire, silliness and, above all, friendship.

Kirsty Wark looks back at the extraordinary lives of some of the legendary singers and composers, sporting greats, political trailblazers and household names who passed away in 2023. She talks to friends and fans of Tina Turner, Betty Boothroyd, Bobby Charlton, Glenda Jackson and Michael Parkinson about what made these public figures such stars.

Kirsty hears contributions from familiar voices, including Beverley Knight and Mark Knopfler, who discuss Tina Turner’s magnetic presence and the impact of her music on their lives, Penny Mordaunt recounts the lasting legacy of Betty Boothroyd on the Houses of Parliament, Stephen Fry recalls what it was like being a guest of the great Michael Parkinson, Bryan Robson gives an insight into the life of footballing hero Bobby Charlton, and Celia Imrie tells the remarkable story of her friendship with Glenda Jackson, who she first met when she was a tea girl and eventually played her daughter in King Lear.

The forgotten story of the plot to kidnap Princess Anne in March 1974

The groundbreaking director, photographer and artist Sir Horace Ové, who died in 2023 aged 86, was best known for his unique work exploring Britain's black culture, using drama and documentary to examine a section of society that was largely overlooked by the mainstream media.

The life and career of this true pioneer are remembered by his actor daughter Indra Ové, in a conversation that outlines his commitment to storytelling as seen in his acclaimed 1979 film A Hole in Babylon.

Her life in images

Twenty years on from her triumphant Pop Idol win, household name Michelle McManus reflects on her rollercoaster life and career, from Baillieston barmaid to record-breaking chart-topper with number one hit All This Time. Along the way, Michelle revisits iconic TV talent moments where Scottish stars captured the hearts of the nation on shows such as The X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice.

Rory Bremner looks back at the life and career of Mike Yarwood, master of the imitation game and one of the BBC's most successful stars of the 1970s and 80s.