Biographical documentaries

biography genre header
From world leaders including Volodymyr Zelensky to icons of pop culture like Elizabeth Taylor or billionaires such as Elon Musk, BBC Select brings you the life stories of the influential people that shaped the past and present. Stream a range of compelling biographical documentaries from the BBC and beyond with BBC Select.

Mengele: Unveiled

Mengele

Josef Mengele was known as the Angel of Death. One of the most notorious figures of the Holocaust, he contributed to sending 400,000 people to their deaths at the Auschwitz concentration camp. This harrowing history documentary looks at his life and crimes. It explores his youth and studies, his adherence to Nazism and the inhumane experiments he conducted at Auschwitz.

Shakespeare: Rise of a Genius

Shakespeare: Rise of a Genius

Why does Shakespeare endure and what inspired the work that we still read and perform today? In this innovative drama-documentary, the life of the greatest writer who has ever lived is explored. Acting legends explain why his plays still resonate, as the most important moments of his life are investigated. How much of his life and the world around him are included in his writing?

Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast

Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast

Pablo Picasso changed the modern art landscape unlike any other artist. His output was prodigious, and his influence was undeniable. But throughout his life, Picasso was dogged with controversy and tragedy. His treatment of women has led to many reassessing his work. This unflinching documentary delves into his life, loves and legacy and the horror and brilliance of what he left behind.

Coco Chanel: Unbuttoned

Coco Chanel: Unbuttoned

The definitive portrait of Coco Chanel, the original influencer whose iconic designs such as the little black dress, costume pearls and Chanel No 5 perfume, remain symbols of luxury, style and power. Despite her triumphs, Coco remained an enigma. Until her death, she veiled the realities of her controversial life. This compelling documentary weaves together the truth of the woman and her work.

Arthur: King of the Britons

Arthur: King of the Britons

Many legends surround the 5th century British monarch King Arthur. The Lady in the Lake, the Sword in the Stone, the Round Table, Merlin, and Lancelot and Guinevere. But what is fact and what is merely apocryphal? This edifying history documentary tries to separate the man from the myth. Was Arthur really a king? Did he even exist at all? And why are so many enduring stories linked to him?