Arts & Literature
In Search of the Brontës
This is the extraordinary story of the world’s most famous literary sisters. This fascinating two-part dramatization follows Charlotte, Anne and Emily Brontë from the hopes and ambitions of childhood to the triumphs and traumas of their adult lives. Based on their letters and new research, Patricia Routledge narrates the true Brontë family history, touched by genius but blighted by tragedy.
Jane Austen: Behind Closed Doors
Lucy Worsley explores the homes in which Jane Austen lived and stayed, to discover just how much they shaped Jane’s life and novels. On a journey that takes her across England, Lucy visits properties that still exist, from grand stately homes to seaside holiday apartments, and brings to life those that have disappeared. The result is a revealing insight into one of the world’s best-loved authors.
Great Scots: The Writers Who Shaped a Nation
What does it mean to be Scottish? Andrew Marr believes that if you really want to get to the heart of identity, you have to turn to its greatest writers: James Boswell, Sir Walter Scott and Hugh MacDiarmid. Across three turbulent centuries, these writers were to shape the way the world looked at Scotland. Andrew reveals the lives of these creative geniuses and their impact on the nation.
Wonderland: Science Fiction in an Atomic Age
Science fiction has commented on the very best and worst of humanity, but how did it predict so much? From the earliest stories to modern voices, this is the ultimate celebration of science fiction and the events that shaped it. Looking at the work of writers such as H.G. Wells, Ursula le Guin and Arthur C. Clarke, to recent superhero films, the development and influence of the genre is explored.
Monster: The Mystery of Loch Ness
In the 1930s, sightings of a strange creature spotted in Scotland’s vast Loch Ness hit the headlines. The legend of the Loch Ness Monster was born. Dougray Scott narrates the full story behind this legendary mythical beast, including detailed analyses of Nessie, factoring in forensics and eyewitness accounts from those who claim to have hunted and spotted the mysterious monster.