The Father of Australia

Episode 1 | Empire with David Olusoga

David Olusoga tells the story of the British Empire, from its origins under Elizabeth I to the establishment of colonies in America, th...

Episode 3 | Empire with David Olusoga

David Olusoga reveals how the Empire reached its maximum size after the First World War but within a generation had begun to collapse, ...

Episode 2 | Empire with David Olusoga

David Olusoga reveals how the loss of the American colonies led to the colonisation of Australia and how the Indian indenture system wa...

01: Profit and Loss | Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners

In 1834 Britain abolished slavery, a defining and celebrated moment in our national history. What has been largely for...

03: The Jewel in the Crown | British History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley

Lucy explores how British history is a concoction of fibs. She debunks the fibs that surround t...

04: The Homecoming | Black and British: A Forgotten History

Historian David Olusoga concludes his series with the three African kings who stood up to empire, an irresistible...

05: Maxim Force | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

The 'scramble for Africa' by competing European nations during the last years of Queen Victoria's reign is the co...

Shifting historical opinions on the British Empire | A Timewatch Guide

David Olusoga explains how historical perspectives of the British Empire have shifted through time.

The Windrush Generation | Black and British: A Forgotten History

David Olusoga discusses the Windrush Generation.

01: Why Britain? | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

In this programme we learn about the origins of the British empire in the 17th century and how its foundations w...

01: Adventure and Exploration | Britain and the Sea

David Dimbleby sails the south west coast of England, exploring maritime art, architecture and history - including the st...

Transportation of Convicts to Australia | Empire with David Olusoga

David explains how Britian sent their problem convicts abroad to the colonies for cheap labour, and many ...

04: Heaven's Breed | Empire: How Britain Made The Modern World

In this programme we discover how a few thousand British people ruled over India, a country of more than 250 m...

John Blanke | Black and British: A Forgotten History

David Olusoga discusses Catherine of Aragon's black servants.

African Roman soldiers in Northern England | Black and British: A Forgotten History

David Olusoga visits Hadrian's Wall and discusses the Roman history of black soldiers.

Treatment of Aboriginals in Australia | Empire with David Olusoga

David explains the horrendous treatment of the Aboriginal peoples of Tasmania by the British.

04: Having a Ball | Andrew Marr's The Making of Modern Britain

In the 1920s, Imperial Britannia slid from view and Britain saw a housing boom and the birth of radio broadcas...

06: Age of Empire | Seven Ages of Britain

David Dimbleby travels through Britain, America and India, tracing the British Empire from 1750 to 1900.

Granville Sharp | Black and British: A Forgotten History

David Olusoga discusses Granville Sharpe and Jonathan Strong's roles in the abolition of slavery.

Immigration from the former empire | A Timewatch Guide

David Olusoga explores the immigration of people from the empire to Britain.