New BBC series features the historic union of Britain

27 Sep 2023

Professor of public history David Olusoga presents the new series, which starts on BBC Two on Monday, 2 October

A new documentary series, Union with David Olusoga, explores the past, present and future of Great Britain. 

In the first episode, David Olusoga tells the story of the first attempts to form a united Britain from the 1600s - the start of a century defined by religious and cultural divisions, including the violent and divisive Plantation of Ulster - to 1707, when, after a failed colonial expedition to Panama, Scotland joins with England and Wales to form Great Britain.

In an interview with The Guardian, Professor Olusoga said British schools should place a greater emphasis on teaching the history of all four nations - which he says would increase understanding of key contemporary political issues in the other nations. 

The first episode screens on BBC Two on Monday, 2 October at 9pm, and it will be available to view on BBC iPlayer after broadcast.

Image credit: BBC