History documentaries

History genre page header
BBC Select is the place to discover so much more about history. Stream a range of compelling BBC history documentaries that explore the people, places and events of the past that shaped our world. Whether it’s the Roman Empire, Nelson and Napoleon, Black history, the story of the Titanic or the Tudors, BBC Select brings acclaimed and award-winning history shows, and featuring experts including Bettany Hughes, Lucy Worsley, Simon Schama and David Olusoga.

Union with David Olusoga

Union with David Olusoga

National identity, social class, inequality. The modern fault lines dividing the UK can be found in the nation’s formation many centuries ago. Renowned historian David Olusoga reveals the human stories behind one of the world’s most influential but fragile unions: the United Kingdom. How does the fractured way that the nation formed reflect the issues that the UK faces today?

London: 2000 Years of History

London: 2000 Years of History

2000 years ago, London was an uninhabited swampy wasteland. Now it is one of largest, busiest and most inspiring cities on the planet. How did London transform into a vibrant metropolis? Historians Dan Jones, Suzannah Lipscomb and engineer Rob Bell, tell the glorious, and sometimes gory, story of the city’s meteoric rise to power to the thriving megacity we know today.

Auschwitz: Countdown to Liberation

Auschwitz: Countdown to Liberation

Eighty years ago, the gates to Auschwitz were opened, revealing the darkest depths of human cruelty. But what happened in those final months before liberation? Did the inmates sense that freedom was imminent? And what about their Nazi captors? Using testimony from those who were present and unique archive footage, the story of how the infamous concentration camp was finally liberated is revealed.

The Inca: Masters of the Clouds

The Inca: Masters of the Clouds

Archaeologist Dr. Jago Cooper explores the origins, history, achievements and nature of ancient South America’s Inca Empire. Traveling from the highlands of Ecuador to the peaks of the Andes, he reveals how their mighty civilization was established, how they mastered their landscape to produce food for millions, and how a brutal civil war and pandemics led to their ultimate destruction.

Secrets of the Lost Liners

Secrets of the Lost Liners

From art deco icons to symbols of fascist dictatorships, working ships to luxury floating palaces, these extravagant vessels were some of the most amazing and notorious ocean liners ever made. But one by one, they would all be lost in tragic and sometimes mysterious circumstances. Featuring exclusive footage, this compelling maritime history documentary series reveals their stories.