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.

Princess Anne: The Seven Loves of Her Life

Image of Princess Anne

This compelling Princess Anne documentary explores the complex and at times scandalous love life of Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter.

The romantic relationships of Princess Anne have been complicated and occasionally scandalous. This documentary delves into Princess Anne’s love life and reveals the men who romanced her. How did the notoriously private princess emerge relatively unscathed from her affairs, while her siblings and partners found themselves embroiled in tabloid gossip and scandal?

Before They Were Royal

Before They Were Royals

What was life like for Prince Philip, Camilla Parker-Bowles and more before they joined the British royal family? This compelling documentary looks at the early lives of various royals before their fame and their acceptance into the monarchy.

Schindler: The Real Story

Watch Schindler: The Real Story on BBC Select

Immortalized in the iconic Steven Spielberg film Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler has become a well-known hero of the Second World War.

This compelling, award-winning documentary explores the real, complex figure of Schindler, with incredible archive footage and intimate interviews with Holocaust survivors who knew him.

The vain, womanizing playboy behind the legendary hero is also revealed.

Princess Diana: A Life After Death

Documentary exploring the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and the aftermath. During the summer of 1997, following the end of her marriage to Prince Charles, media fascination with Diana reached fever point and she was pursued constantly by the press. Diana’s life ended in a car crash in Paris and her death would change attitudes towards the British royal family forever.

Born To Be King

King Charles III: Born to be King

As Charles, Britain’s longest serving heir apparent, ascends the throne as King, those who know him well – who have worked for and with him – discuss what he achieved as the Prince of Wales and what he will bring to his new role of monarch.

This unique BBC royal family documentary, which includes archive footage and intimate interviews with the then Duchess of Cornwall and Prince of Wales, highlights the impact that he had on the country as heir to the throne, and reveals what is important to him and how that will translate to him becoming King.