TV

  • Handmade in Britain, BBC Four series, October 2011

    In 2011 I took part in BBC4’s ‘Handmade in Britain’ season, in partnership with the V&A. I was interviewed on ceramics in the first episode of ‘Ceramics: A Fragile History’, broadcast on 10 October 2011, in ‘Treasures of Chinese Porcelain’ broadcast on 11 October, and in the final episode of ‘Ceramics: A Fragile History’ on 24 October.

  • If Walls Could Talk, The History of the Home, 4-part BBC Four series, April 2011

    This fun 4-part series for BBC4 explores the intimate history of your home, passing through the living room, bathroom, bedroom and kitchen. It was made by Silver River, has an accompanying book, and was nominated for ‘best history documentary’ at the Royal Television Society Awards 2012. Read much more about it here.

  • ‘When God Spoke English’, BBC Four, February 2011

    Author Adam Nicolson reveals why the making of this powerful book shares much in common with his experience of a very different national project – the Millennium Dome. The programme also delves into recently discovered 17th century manuscripts, from the actual translation process itself, to show in rich detail what makes this Bible so good.

    In a turbulent and often violent age, the King hoped this Bible would unite a country torn by religious factions. Today it is dismissed by some as old-fashioned and impenetrable, but the film shows why, in the 21st century, the King James Bible remains so great. Including interview with Lucy Worsley at Hampton Court.

  • King Alfred … the Great? BBC One, 17 May, 2010

    Here are all the cast and crew of ‘King Alfred … the Great‘, shown 17 May on BBC 1 South. Clip here. ‘As part of the BBC’s History Of The World project, each BBC region will be broadcasting its own programme examining a turning point in the history of the local area. So, in the south Lucy Worsley considers the story and reputation of King Alfred’. The Guardian, ‘Pick of the Day’.

  • The Curse of the Hope Diamond, Channel 4, May 2010

    ‘Channel 4’s The Curse of the Hope Diamond (Monday) was a neat reminder that our obsession with wealth transcends all boundaries. This vast gem (45.5 carats), indestructible and priceless, has been at the heart of 350 years of varied history, from Louis XIV to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, via George IV and all sorts of other upper-class oddballs. Wherever it’s been, it seems to have caused death, ruin and bad luck’. The Daily Telegraph Read more about it here.

  • Inside the Body of Henry VIII, HISTORY (TM) 2009

    This film examined Henry VIII’s medical history. For me the highlight was squashing a pig to reconstruct his jousting accident of 1536.

    ‘Unexpectedly, exploding pigs shed light on the mystery of Henry VIII’s psyche … a different take on the widely perceived change in Henry’ – Nancy Banks-Smith, The Guardian

    ‘HENRY VIII’s transformation from Tudor heart-throb to gluttonous brute could have been triggered by a serious jousting accident … A 21st-century ‘autopsy’ of the sixtimes married monarch has concluded brain damage suffered during the dramatic fall could have been at the root of his personality change’. Daily Mail

    ‘In this intelligent and often wry documentary, a trio of experts examine the historical evidence behind Henry’s innumerable medical conditions. Smallpox, varicose ulcers, malaria and constipation are all put under the microscope, while his dismal reproductive record incurs a study of what might have lurked inside the royal codpiece’. The Sunday Times

    ‘Doctors have carried out a ‘virtual autopsy’ on Henry VIII – 462 years after his death. They found a jousting fall damaged his brain and drove him mad … the findings are revealed on a TV documentary screened on the History Channel’. The Sun Read more about the programme here.