Trending documentaries

Need inspiration for which documentary to watch? See what's on BBC Select, from trending shows about the latest news stories to classic BBC documentaries about history, British royalty, nature and more. All available to stream in the US and Canada.

Titanic In Colour

Titanic In Colour

When the Titanic sank in 1912, the news shook the world. The word ‘Titanic’ instantly became synonymous with disaster, forever stuck in the black and white world. Now, thanks to painstaking research and unique colorization techniques, this incredible documentary brings to life everything from the ship’s lavish interiors to the larger-than-life stories of the people who built the ship.

King George and Queen Mary: The Royals Who Rescued the Monarchy

King George & Queen Mary The Royals Who rescued the Monarchy

Elizabeth II’s grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary, had a huge influence on the beloved British monarch. As this insightful history documentary series reveals,
George and Mary were pioneering, forward thinking royals who rescued the monarchy from potential disaster. Adored by the public, they were the epitome of regal duty, but often failed when it came to family matters.

Ancient Earth

Ancient Earth

How did Earth transform from a barren rock with no atmosphere into a lush, green, watery planet filled with life? From massive asteroid bombardments to extreme changes in climate and collisions of whole continents, this thrilling documentary takes viewers on a journey through our planet’s most astonishing ancient history, beginning with its early years as a volcanic hellscape to the rise of humans.

Ice Age Giants

Ice Age Giants

Professor Alice Roberts journeys 40,000 years back in time on the trail of the great beasts of the Ice Age. This was the last time that giants like mammoths, woolly rhinos and saber-tooth cats ruled our planet. Drawing on the latest scientific detective work, and a dash of graphic wizardry, Alice brings the Ice Age giants back to life. She finds out how they lived and why they eventually died out.

Hadrian

Hadrian

Immortalized in the UK after building a wall which bears his name to this day, Hadrian brought an unparalleled period of peace and prosperity to the Roman Empire. Dan Snow takes us on a journey around Hadrian’s vast domain and uncovers the genius and the dark side of this sometimes ruthless ruler. At the heart of his great Empire, lies a mystery. Hadrian’s relationship with a young man, Antinous.