Professor James Shapiro goes in search of the mysterious man behind The Duchess of Malfi, the son of a coachmaker who ended up rivalling Shakespeare. Show more

Series which uncovers the story behind the creation of six classic books. Simon Russell Beale looks at what we can learn from Shakespeare's First Folio. Show more

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

Sibelius's epic 'Kullervo' Symphony in a classic performance from 1992. Sir Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra with soloists Soile Isokoski and Jorma Hynninen. Show more

Simon Russell Beale travels to Germany and Austria to explore the work of Brahms and Bruckner. He discovers how Bruckner approached music as a devout Catholic. Show more

Simon Russell Beale visits Poland and Estonia to discover why the music of the spiritual composers Gorecki and Part strikes such a chord in today's hectic world. Show more

Simon Russell Beale returns to the UK to explore how three different approaches to Christian music have captured the spiritual imagination of the nation. Show more

Simon Russell Beale travels to Italy to explore the story of the Duke of Mantua and his court composer Claudio Monteverdi during the late Italian Renaissance. Show more

Docudrama about events at Dunkirk in 1940. The Allies are in retreat, but the Navy can only pick up a few soldiers and Churchill is advised to make peace to save the rest. Show more

Actor Simon Russell Beale looks back on the The Hollow Crown, the BBC’s 2012 adaptations of Shakespeare’s history plays Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2 and Henry V. Show more

Cold War thriller set in 1974. When a trainee MI6 spy is asked to 'turn' a Russian diplomat he knew at university, he discovers a shocking revelation about his own family. Show more

Marie Sklodowska, a Polish immigrant to France, meets and marries fellow scientist Pierre Curie, and they start to collaborate - resulting in them receiving a Nobel Prize.
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In a live anniversary event, a cast of 100, including Benedict Cumberbatch and Dame Helen Mirren, performs scenes from 50 years of National Theatre productions. Show more

Docudrama following events at Dunkirk in May and June 1940. The town is under siege, with tens of thousands still waiting to be evacuated and daylight sailing suspended. Show more

4 Extra Debut. Harold Pinter's screenplay of Victory, Josef Conrad's last major novel, about a mysterious Swedish baron endangered by an affair with an English girl. Show more

Actor Simon Russell Beale discusses playing the role of King Lear and composer Simon Fisher Turner talks about working with Derek Jarman. Presented by Samira Ahmed. Show more

Satirist Craig Brown's favourite readings, read by Simon Russell Beale and Eleanor Bron. Humorous and touching extracts from Alan Bennett, Saki, Ezra Pound and Evelyn Waugh. Show more

Intimate portrait of Sir John Betjeman, one of the most popular English poets of the 20th century. Featuring contributions from the Prince of Wales and Lord Snowdon. Show more

Mark Lawson talks to the actor Simon Russell Beale about his life on and off stage. He offers insights into how he approaches his diverse roles and his recent career changes. Show more

Interviews with key newsmakers. Guests include Sir Nick Houghton, Philip Hammond and Maria Eagle MP. With newspaper reviews from AA Gill, Isabel Hardman and Diane James. Show more