History

Al-Khalili travels to northern Syria to discover how, a thousand years ago, the great astronomer and mathematician Al-Biruni estimated the size of the earth to within a few hundred miles of the correct figure. He discovers how medieval Islamic scholars helped turn the magical and occult practice of alchemy into modern chemistry. In Cairo, he tells the story of the extraordinary physicist Ibn al-Haytham, who helped establish the modern science of optics and proved one of the most fundamental principles in physics - that light travels in straight lines. Prof Al-Khalili argues that these scholars are among the first people to insist that all scientific theories are backed up by careful experimental observation, bringing a rigour to science that didn't really exist before.

In 1717, the seas of the Caribbean are ruled by the Flying Gang: Black Sam Bellamy, Edward Thatch and Benjamin Hornigold. From their base in the Bahamas, these pirates steal a fortune from the wealthiest empires in Europe and disrupt the lucrative slave trade. English authorities tap Woodes Rogers to put a stop to the pirate attacks. He is on a mission to destroy the Flying Gang of the Caribbean.

This episode immerses viewers in the glittering world of supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. With their striking looks and magnetic personalities, these fashion legends rose to prominence by collaborating with industry titans and gracing the world's most prestigious runways. The documentary skillfully captures their unwavering dedication and unrivaled passion for their craft, offering an intimate look at their remarkable careers. However, the pinnacle of their success arrives when these iconic supermodels unite for a groundbreaking music video, a surprising endeavor that reshapes the course of their careers and the fashion landscape.
Audiences will be captivated by their collective power and charisma as they redefine beauty standards and leave an indelible mark on both the fashion industry and popular culture. This episode is a compelling exploration of a bygone era where fashion, music, and celebrity collided, and four extraordinary women stood at the forefront of this cultural revolution, making it a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the inner workings of the fashion world and the enduring legacy of these iconic supermodels.

Richard Feynman is one of the most iconic, influential and inspiring scientists of the 20th century. He helped design the atomic bomb, solved the mystery of the Challenger Shuttle catastrophe and won a Nobel Prize. 25 years after his death - in his own words and those of his friends and family - this is the story of the most captivating communicator in the history of science.

Nick Yarris, a convicted murderer who has spent 23 years on Death Row and was released in 2004 when DNA evidence proved he was innocent of the crime, tells his story. In a non-linear structure, he reveals his early life, youthful transgressions, arrest, and time on death row, with several twists and turns. This gripping documentary reels you in, closer and closer, finally playing its hand in the closing moments.

Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch - one of the world's leading historians - reveals the origins of Christianity and explores what it means to be a Christian. In the first episode, he overturns the familiar story that it all began when the apostle Paul took Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome. Instead, he shows that the true origins of Christianity lie further east, and that at one point it was poised to triumph in Asia, maybe even in China. The headquarters of Christianity might well have been Baghdad not Rome, and if that had happened then Western Christianity would have been very different.