Politics documentaries

Stream a range of BBC documentaries that explore global politics and that provide expert analysis and insights from those close to the story. From accounts of the 20th century's pivotal political events to biographies of modern political figures, BBC Select brings you documentaries about the politics that shape our world.

Gandhi

How did a man so loyal to the British Empire that he acted as a recruiting sergeant in World War 1 eventually lead the Indian people to a revolution that would end British rule forever? And how, when his blueprint for India would be largely ignored, is he still revered as the ‘Father of the Nation’?

Journalist Mishal Husain uncovers the complicated legacy of Mahatma Gandhi in this biographical documentary on BBC Select.

The Cult of Conspiracy: QAnon

Watch The Cult of Consiracy: QAnon documentary on BBC Select

This QAnon documentary investigates how the political movement and conspiracy theory that began on the fringes of the Internet, spread into the real world following the election of Trump.

In 2017 a figure called “Q”, claiming to be a patriotic government insider, started posting cryptic prophecies and clues known as “Q drops” on anonymous websites.

Followers grew exponentially, ardently believing in unfounded theories such as Trump being a prophet, the Democrats running a pedophile ring in secret tunnels under Washington, and the existence of an elite group or “cabal” of baby-eating Satanic worshippers that needed to be stopped.

But how do such wildly untrue conspiracies gain traction? And who would believe them? Filmmaker Ben Zand travels across America to meet some of QAnon’s diehard followers.

The Man Putin Couldn't Kill

Watch Navalny: The Man Putin Couldn’t Kill, a gripping Alexei Navalny documentary and learn more about the Russian opposition leader and his suspected poisoning.

China: A New World Order

Watch China: A New World Order Episode 1 for free with BBC Select in the US and Canada.

China A New World Order is a three-part China documentary from the BBC exploring President Xi Jinping’s presidency. China’s role on the global stage has shifted dramatically during the presidency of Xi Jinping. Discover how the country’s influence continues to grow as the world relies more on its economic might.

Africa and Britain: A Forgotten History

From slavery to settlement, award-winning historian David Olusoga explores the history of black Britain.

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