documentary

A celebration and screening of 63 Up

“Give me the child for the first seven years and I will show you the man.” Inspired by this Jesuit motto, the Up series began in 1964, following a group of people drawn from startlingly different backgrounds who have allowed television cameras to drop into their lives at seven-year intervals ever since.

Led by director Michael Apted throughout the decades, this acclaimed series has now reached 63 Up, providing an illuminating perspective on whether or not the course of our adult lives is set by our earliest influences and the social class in which we’re raised.

Mobeen Azhar explores racism in the US in new BBC documentary

Mobeen Azhar with a member of a far-right group in Oregon (Credit: BBC/Expectation Entertainment Ltd)

A Black And White Killing: The Case That Shook America centres on the tragic death of Larnell Bruce, a young black man who was run over outside a convenience store in 2016 by Russel Courtier, a member of white supremacist gang European Kindred.

CCTV footage of the incident was released shortly afterwards and went viral across the US, causing many to question if Bruce was killed because of the colour of his skin.

Louis Theroux investigates the UK sex trade in new documentary

Louis Theroux: Selling Sex (Credit: BBC)

The BBC Two documentary follows Theroux as he learns of the legality of the service and learns how social media and websites have fuelled new opportunities for the business of selling sex, making transactional sex more accessible to individuals who possibly wouldn’t have considered it previously.

The filmmaker will meet with people in the industry and explore the reasons behind their choice to sell sex, such as to supplement their income or make a living, potentially earning a lucrative income.

Joe Lycett to become new Travel Man

After exploring over 40 cities across nine series, Richard Ayoade (The Crystal Maze) will pass the baton to Joe Lycett as presenter of Travel Man: 48 hours in... next year.

The series sees Ayoade explore some of the world’s most popular holiday destinations for 48 hours, each journey with a different famous companion to join him on his trip.

Louis Theroux returns to America’s most hated family

Louis Theroux (Credit: BBC)

The Westboro Baptist Church, a controversial Christian ministry, are known for protesting and picketing high profile events, including military funerals and creating antagonistic homophobic placards.

Having been led by Pastor Fred Phelps, also known as ‘Gramps’ to the congregation, his death in 2014 led to extreme changes within the tight-knit family community.

In a time of Trump’s America, controversial statements are now commonplace and the relevance of the church has been brought into question, threatening to tear it apart.

Kate Winslet and Daniel Radcliffe among new Who Do You Think You Are? line-up

Daniel Radcliffe (Credit: BBC/Wall to Wall Media Ltd/Stephen Perry)

Among the celebrities retracing their ancestors’ steps this season are Oscar winner Kate Winslet, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, music mogul Sharon Osbourne and Jack Whitehall who will be joined by his father Michael.

The father and son double-act will unravel their family’s link to the Newport Rising of 1839, while television personality Mark Wright will explore his Spanish and Jewish heritage with the discovery that his ancestor was tortured by the Spanish Inquisition.

Jason Fox heads to Afghanistan for new Channel 4 series

Jason Fox (Credit: Channel 4)

Return To Afghanistan With Jason Fox (w/t) follows Fox as he embarks on a personal journey back to Afghanistan to gain a better understanding of the complex country and determine if the sacrifices were worth the legacy the conflict has left behind.

The elite Special Forces soldier will encounter former enemies, old friends and revisit where he developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after harrowing combat experiences, causing him to leave behind a career he loved.

“Afghanistan defined me as a soldier and made me the man I am today,” said Jason Fox.