Harry Potter - A History of Magic

From shrieking mandrakes, to sorting hats, to the mystery of ancient Chinese oracle bones, what inspired the world of Harry Potter? Author JK Rowling invites us into her private archive to reveal a trove of delights never before seen by muggles’ eyes.

Watch Harry Potter - A History of Magic and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.

More documentaries you might like...

Subscribe to BBC Select for hundreds of hours of thought - provoking, award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond.

Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast

Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast

His art changed the way we see the world. Now change the way you see the artist. An unflinching look at Pablo Picasso's life, loves and legacy.

Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen

Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen

Lucy Worsley discovers the origins of crime writer Agatha Christie's macabre magic.

Auction

Auction

Millionaires, passionate collectors and adoring fans enter the great auction houses of the world, desperate to bid and win fabulous treasures.

Wonderland: Gothic

Wonderland: Gothic

Horror, dystopias, monsters, fear: why is the Gothic genre so enduring?

The Divine Michelangelo

The Divine Michelangelo

How was one man, Michelangelo, capable of creating such iconic and enduring works of art?

Toulouse-Lautrec

Toulouse-Lautrec

A profile of the influential artist Toulouse-Lautrec whose life was scarred by tragedy.

Art, Passion and Power: The Story of the Royal Collection

Art, Passion and Power: The Story of the Royal Collection

Andrew Graham-Dixon explores the impressive artworks and history of the Royal Collection.

BBC Select Free Trial

BBC Select is available on Amazon Prime Video Channels, the Apple TV app and The Roku Channel for only $5.99 a month. Start a 7-day free trial and watch a range of acclaimed documentaries from the BBC and beyond. Restrictions apply*.