History TV and radio in the UK: what's on our screens this week?
Can't decide which shows to watch or listen to this week? Here are the latest history radio and TV programmes airing in the UK that you won't want to miss
Outrageous
U&Drama
Thursday 19th June, 9pm
The aristocratic Mitford sisters, the brightest of bright young things, both fascinated and scandalised the country. Which of course makes them the perfect subjects for Sarah Williams’ new drama. We first meet the sisters in 1931, shortly before the fateful first encounter between Diana (Joanna Vanderham) and a charismatic politician, Oswald Mosley (Joshua Sasse).
Limelight: Central Intelligence
BBC Radio 4
Friday 20th June, 2.15pm
Kim Cattrall returns in the drama centred on Eloise Page, one of the first employees of the CIA when it was founded in 1947. In the first of 10 new episodes, it’s 1954 and the USA becomes involved in Vietnam, where Colonel Ed Lansdale, a maverick ex-advertising executive, works on novel approaches to countering communism.
Hidden Treasures Of The National Trust
BBC Two
Friday 20th June, 9pm
Cameras head to Cornwall where, at the the grand Jacobean mansion of Lanhydrock, the ceiling of the long gallery needs extensive restoration. Elsewhere, the roof and facades of the Tudor manor of Coughton Court need expert attention. Last in the series.
Archive On 4: We Were The Mods – pick of the week
BBC Radio 4
Saturday 21st June, 8pm
The Who’s Quadrophenia, a concept album detailing the life of a teenage mod, Jimmy, was released in 1973. A film followed in 1979 and, this summer, there’s to be a ballet version. Why does Quadrophenia continue to resonate with audiences? Pete Townshend, Phil Daniels and film director France Roddam are among those who offer their insights here.
The Gold
BBC One
Sunday 22nd June, 9pm
The drama series telling the story of the Brink’s-Mat bullion job and its aftermath reaches episode five. Things aren’t going well for those involved in fencing the gold, especially John Palmer (Tom Cullen), gold dealer and timeshare fraudster. Concludes on Monday with an episode that sees the retirement of tireless copper Brian Boyce (Hugh Bonneville).
The Invention Of Hungary
BBC Radio 4
Monday 23rd June, 11am
The latest Invention series concludes with Misha Glenny and producer Miles Warde exploring the history of Hungary through the two World Wars. The duo also look back at events in 1956, when the Soviet Union sent its forces to quell an uprising. What are the consequences of this history in contemporary Hungary?
Postwar
BBC Radio 4
Monday 23rd June, 1.45pm
David Runciman continues his weekday look back at the 1945 general election. First up, his focus is on housing, then as now a crucial issue to the electorate. On Tuesday, Runciman considers the evolution of the arts in the wake of the Second World War.
The Gilded Age
Sky Atlantic
Monday 23rd June, 9pm
The drama created by Julian Fellowes and set in 1880s New York returns for a new series. This time around, the power of those who represent society’s old money is waning, good news for the Russells. Elsewhere, over in the Brook household, Agnes refuses to accept Ada’s new status as lady of the house.
Drama: McLevy In The New World
BBC Radio 4
Tuesday 24th June, 2.15pm
David Ashton’s hugely entertaining Victorian-era comedy-drama returns. This time around, sleuthing duo McLevy (Brian Cox) and Jean (Siobhan Redmond) are in California around the time of the Gold Rush, and find themselves investigating the murder of a miner and the kidnapping of a cattle rancher.
Secret Nazi Bases
U&Yesterday
Wednesday 25th June, 8pm
The Masurian Canal has long been abandoned, but back in the 1930s it was the scene of much activity. But why were the Nazis so keen on the massive undertaking of building a waterway through what was then East Prussia? Could it have had something to with preparations for conflict?
Amol Rajan Goes To The Ganges
BBC One
Wednesday 25th June, 9pm
The journalist and broadcaster heads to India’s Kumbh Mela, the largest religious festival in the world. Will joining the millions gathering at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers help him reconnect with his Hindu roots and deal with grief over the loss of his father?
In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
Thursday 26th June, 9am
Melvyn Bragg and learned guests, including Daniel Ogden from the University of Exeter, discuss dragons. These are, we learn, creatures that have their origins in Greek and Roman culture, but also show up in mythology and folklore from around the world.
Outrageous
U&Drama
Thursday 26th June, 9pm
Why did Unity Mitford become so convinced that fascism was a good idea? In part, suggests episode two of Outrageous, it was because, in the company of her sister, Diana, she visited Germany, where she was mesmerised by seeing Adolf Hitler speak at Nuremberg.