BBC has commissioned Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy, a new six-part historical documentary series from 72 Films, part of Fremantle. Set to air on BBC Two and iPlayer, the series will explore the origins of the modern British monarchy and the turbulent period that helped shape the British state.
Spanning five generations and 150 years of history, Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy will trace England’s transformation between 1066 and 1216, beginning with William the Conqueror’s invasion and continuing through the reign of King John and the signing of Magna Carta.
What Will Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy Explore?
At the heart of the series is the Norman Conquest and its lasting impact on England. The documentary will examine how a conquered territory gradually developed into a powerful state, while following the royal families whose battles over succession and authority defined the period.
Across its six episodes, the series will explore themes of power, ambition, conflict and betrayal, while also examining the tensions created by concentrating political authority in the hands of a single monarch.
How Will the Series Bring Medieval History to the Screen?
Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy will combine cinematic dramatizations with advanced visual effects and insights from leading historians.
Through this combination, the series aims to bring the political struggles and family conflicts of medieval England to life while exploring how events between 1066 and 1216 contributed to the foundations of the modern British monarchy.
Simon Young, Head of Commissioning, History, described the story as the “origin story of our age,” noting that the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain makes this a particularly fitting moment to revisit the beginnings of the modern monarchy.
Executive producer Rob Coldstream, meanwhile, described the series as a family saga shaped by “bloodlines, power and betrayal,” emphasizing how the events explored in the documentary continue to influence Britain today.
Who is Behind Kings and Queens: The Story of the Monarchy?
The six-part series is produced by 72 Films, a Fremantle company, for BBC Two and iPlayer. Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, commissioned the project.
Rob Coldstream and David Glover serve as executive producers, while Simon Young is the commissioning editor. Fremantle will handle the series’ international distribution.
