Boys watching TV in the 1950s

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

Ross Poldark takes on a dangerous mission to liberate his friend Dwight from Quimper prison in France. Quimper was a real prison, which was "notorious for its terrible conditions", says historian Hannah Greig. (BBC/Mammoth Screen/Robert Viglasky)

The real history behind ‘Poldark’ series three: episode five

George Warleggan begins to gain power as a Justice of the Peace in the third series of 'Poldark'. (Mammoth Screen/BBC)

The real history behind ‘Poldark’ series three: episode four

Ross Poldark travels to Republican France in the latest episode of the BBC drama. France was a 'brutal and dangerous' place to be at the time, says historian Hannah Greig. (BBC/Mammoth Screen)

The real history behind 'Poldark' series three: episode three

Sam and Drake Carne. (Mammoth Screen/BBC)

The real history behind ‘Poldark’ series three: episode two

Churchill on film: the challenges of portraying a Second World War icon.

The real history behind 'Poldark' series three: episode one

'Their Finest' and the British films that inspired the home front during the Second World War.

Roots: a necessary portrayal of transatlantic slavery?.

Rune Temte as Ubba in 'The Last Kingdom'

Behind the scenes: series one of The Last Kingdom

Percy Fawcett and the lost city of Z: The history behind the film.

Getting the history right on '1066: A Year to Conquer England'

Viceroy’s House: the history behind the film.

Silence: the history behind Martin Scorsese’s new film

Adrian Turner as Poldark. (Photo by BBC Pictures)

Poldark’s Cornwall: the history behind the hit series

The Aberfan disaster and women who made history.

Second World War

Anthropoid: behind the scenes with director Sean Ellis

Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark in the TV series 'Poldark'. (Photo by Adrian Rogers)

Period dramas should not be judged on historical accuracy, say historians.

Poldark and historical TV drama.

Ripper Street series four: behind the scenes with writer Richard Warlow

Tony Blair asks permission of Queen Elizabeth II to form a government

Elizabeth II and her prime ministers.

A prodigy in England: Lucy Worsley on Mozart’s London odyssey.

Vikings: an interview with the show’s creator and writer Michael Hirst.

Behind the scenes of Suzannah Lipscomb’s 'Hidden Killers of the Post-War Home'

(BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions Ltd/Tiger Aspect/Robert Viglasky)

Peaky Blinders: behind the scenes with creator Steven Knight.

BBC History Magazine

On the Silk Road with Sam Willis

Dan Jones and Suzannah Lipscomb discuss Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves

Dan Jones and Suzannah Lipscomb on 'Henry VIII And His Six Wives'

The Revenant and the real Hugh Glass: how historically accurate is the film?

A portrait of the author Leo Tolstoy on his 80th birthday. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)

A brief history of War and Peace.

BBC History Magazine

Jaipur Literature Festival: 'thought-provoking and relevant for British history enthusiasts'