Documentary

If you’ve ever daydreamed about sitting down for a heartfelt chat and a cup of tea with a few of Britain’s most legendary living actresses, Tea with the Dames is your dream come true.

The subjects of this documentary are Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith. Prompted by questions asked off-screen by director Roger Michell, the dames talk candidly and sometimes irreverently about their professional experiences as well as their more personal thoughts on aging and family. What stands out most is the genuine affection and friendship between these women who have shared stages, sets and the unusual experience of living most of their lives in the spotlight

As Season 3 of the popular period drama kicks off, PBS airs a companion piece to Victoria, focused on exploring her royal marriage, in Victoria & Albert: The Wedding.

Travel documentaries need not be boring when you can tour the world in the company of some of the UK's wittiest, silliest tourists.

From a family bonding gap year trip with Jack Whitehall to fulfilling a lifelong dream of riding the open road with Billy Connolly. From fitting in as many quirky cultural attractions as one can into a mini-break with Richard Ayoade to forcing a reluctant traveller like Karl Pilkington to appreciate the world's wonders, we find that comedy and travel make the hilarious companions. 

From blood to ballistics to fingerprints, Sherlock Holmes was 120 years ahead of his time. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s great detective is still infamous today for the rigorous nature of his investigative methods, protecting crime scenes from contamination, looking for minute traces of evidence and searching for what the eye couldn’t see.

Two-hour documentary How Sherlock Changed the World is set to premiere on this December and will explore the real-world impact of history’s most famous fictional detective, including his effect on the continued development of forensic and investigative procedures, even during the present day. The film will feature noted forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee, who is often referred to as something of a modern-day Holmes himself.

Here’s a treat for Sherlock fans everywhere who are chomping at the bit to get to January 19 and the Series 3 premiere. Though sadly, neither Benedict Cumberbatch nor Martin Freeman are involved. But, if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes at all, you’ll probably be quite interested to see this new special. It sounds fascinating.

A new two-hour documentary will air this December, called How Sherlock Changed the World, and will explore the real-world impact of history’s most famous fictional detective, including the effect that Holmes has had on the development of real forensic and investigative techniques, and will feature noted forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee

Read on for details and to see a clip featuring Dr. Lee.

British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is a household name – an author who has sold more than ten million books, a scientist who has made remarkable discoveries about time and space, and an icon who has spoken in front of thousands of people and served as an inspiration to countless more. He is, sadly, also famous for his struggle with Motor Neurone Disease, an ailment which eventually paralyzed him, but didn’t dampen his intellectual brilliance.

So, yeah, it seems like his life story might make a pretty good movie, right? Or at least a fascinating documentary.

A brand new film called Hawking is set to provide an in-depth look at the life of this extraordinary individual and his accomplishments. The documentary will give viewers a rare look into Hawking’s life, past and present, aided by a cast of celebrity contributors and fans, including astronaut Edwin Eugene “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., actors Jim Carey and Benedict Cumberbatch, mathematical physicist Sir Roger Penrose and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

The story follows Hawking’s life through his early days as a student, his diagnosis with motor neurone disease and his astonishing scientific discoveries to his status as the bestselling author of A Brief History of Time and general worldwide pop culture icon. It also provides a look into the scientist’s daily life, including how he travels and some of his favorite personal pastimes.

Hawking, who is very, very private, narrated and directed the documentary himself and it is the only official autobiographical account of his life. (How cool is that??) Watch a preview below.

Though it would be lovely if this post were actually about the Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss-produced brilliance that is the BBC adaptation of Sherlock (trust me – I wish!), it’s not. However, as we round the anniversary of a year since the UK transmission of The Reichenbach Fall, there is at least a tiny bit of happy news on the horizon for all us Holmesians out there. (And, no, it’s got nothing to do with Elementary.)

During their session this week at the Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour, PBS announced the premiere of a new two-hour documentary, How Sherlock Changed the World, which will explore the real-world impact of history’s most famous fictional detective. (It may surprise you to know that this goes way beyond our modern day Sherlock’s obsession with his Blackberry!) This special will explore the effect that Holmes has had on the development of real forensic and investigative techniques and will feature noted forensic scientist Dr. Henry Lee. Want details? Read on.

Since this is pretty much the Summer of London – thanks to Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee festivities earlier this month and the Summer Olympics right around the corner – we’re airing some great British and British-themed programming to celebrate, as part of PBS’ British Summer Holiday event.

New four-part series Queen and Country will premiere this Sunday, July 1. Veteran newsman Sir Trevor McDonald offers viewers a look at the traditions and institutions surrounding the monarchy, from Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace through the Queen's royal visits to some of the greatest historic royal palaces, and more.

Click through for a preview and an episode-by-episode guide to what’s coming up on the series.

Everyone remembers incredible BBC documentaries Planet Earth and Life, yes? Full of so much beautiful footage and so many amazing animals that even people who don’t like nature documentaries (cough cough yours truly cough) loved them?

If so, then you’ll probably be equally excited for the premiere of Frozen Planet, the next massive and presumably amazing documentary from the creators of Planet Earth that focuses on our planet’s polar regions. This seven part series aired on BBC One last year and we Americans can finally see what all the fuss is about for ourselves when it premieres on the Discovery Channel starting March 18.

Click through to watch the Discovery trailer– it will give you chills (I mean, the baby polar bear, just…my heart)!