Historical film TV and radio

From binge-worthy period dramas to award-winning documentaries, find out why historical movies, TV and radio programs are more popular than ever, with this series of articles, podcasts and video

Paul Mescal as Lucius in Gladiator II

Sharks in the arena? Gladiator II‘s real history and historical accuracy explained

Engraving of Roman emperor Macrinus and Denzel Washington as Macrinus in Gladiator II

The real Macrinus: how Gladiator II’s power broker became a short-lived Roman emperor

Fred Hechinger and Joe Quinn as Roman emperors Caracalla and Geta in Gladiator II (Copyright Paramount Pictures)

Caracalla and Geta: the real lives of the mad emperors of Gladiator II

Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator

Was Maximus Decimus Meridius real? These five historical figures inspired Gladiator’s hero

Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Damien Lewis as Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light

Thomas Cromwell on screen: is Wolf Hall the best depiction of the Tudor statesman?

Characters in 'Wolf Hall'

History TV and radio in the UK: what’s on our screens this week?

What is the greatest historical movie of all time

General History

What is the best historical movie of all time? Vote now!

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Should period dramas reflect modern sensibilities? (Photo by Hugh Cowling)

Should period dramas reflect modern sensibilities? . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Author/veterinarian Dr. James Alfred Wight (pen name James Herriot) holding up a black cat that he is examining at his veterinary surgery.

Who was the real James Herriot? The true story behind All Creatures Great and Small

Lee Miller and Kate Winslet.

Second World War

Who was Lee Miller? The model-turned-war correspondent who photographed WW2 horrors

Henry Cavill as Gus March-Phillipps in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Second World War

Is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare based on a true story? The audacious real history of Operation Postmaster

Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots.

Why Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots never met

Two couples kissing in The Decameron

“Slapstick and smutty”: the real medieval history behind The Decameron

Leo Suter as Harald Sigurdsson in season 3 of Vikings: Valhalla

Vikings: Valhalla ending explained: here’s what would have happened in season 4, according to history

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Vod Hannah Greig WL

Video podcast The real Lady Whistledown & the golden age of gossip . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.