Simon Schama recounts moments of drama in the making of great works of art. How Britain's greatest painter, JMW Turner, created one his most powerful paintings, The Slave Ship.

Simon looks at how Shakespeare's most profound tragedies may have been inspired by the bard's experiences writing for the courts of Elizabeth I and James I. Show more

Simon Schama investigates what drove Van Gogh to paint Wheat Field with Crows.

Documentary exploring the influence of the Industrial Revolution on the life and work of artist JMW Turner. Includes interviews with historian Simon Schama and artist Tracey Emin. Show more

Series on the brilliance of the British novel. Sebastian Faulks looks at how literary lovers, from Mr Darcy to Nick Guest, have taught us the truth about love. Show more

The series celebrating the story of BBC Two concludes with a look at more recent highlights, including comedy classics The Office, The League of Gentlemen and Goodness Gracious Me. Show more

Matt Baker and Angellica Bell are joined on the sofa by Mary Beard, David Olusoga and Simon Schama to talk about new BBC series Civilisations.

Andrew Marr on art and civilisation with Mary Beard, Simon Schama, Tacita Dean and David Olusoga. Show more

Mary Beard and Simon Schama reveal the inside story of writing and presenting the BBC Two series Civilisations. Hosted by Kirsty Wark. Show more

Andrew Marr’s guests include international trade secretary Dr Liam Fox MP, former prime minister Tony Blair and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey MP. Show more

Drama-documentary charting the journey of the American slaves who were led to Africa, where they struggled to establish a colony in Sierra Leone, where they could be free. Show more

Simon Schama and Devorah Baum join Philip Dodd to explore Jewish identity, past and present. Plus, Pinter prize winner Michael Longley considers preoccupations with The Great War. Show more

Historian Simon Schama takes us on a very personal virtual tour of the Young Rembrandt exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, currently in lockdown. Show more

Simon Schama reveals how different the American attitude to war is from what outsiders assume it to be. War has always inspired debate, as Simon finds in San Antonio. Show more

Simon explores how faith has shaped American political life and shows how, throughout American history, it has played a crucial role in the fight for freedom. Show more

Documentary series. Simon Schama examines the story of the medieval Jews and their struggle to preserve their identity under the rule of Christianity and Islam. Show more

Andrew Neil hosts the first programme in a new series with Michael Portillo, Peter Hain and Miranda Green. Show more

Documentary series. Simon Schama examines how the Enlightenment brought the ghetto walls crashing down and how this integration ultimately stirred up old prejudices. Show more

Documentary series. Simon Schama explores how eastern European Jewish culture made its mark across the world, from Soviet politics to Hollywood cinema. Show more

Documentary series. Simon Schama examines how the Holocaust and the creation of Israel have changed what it means to be Jewish as he traces these historic events. Show more