New series sheds fresh light on the shaping of the British Empire

Posted on 7 November 2025 • TV and radio

From Friday 7 November, a new three-part BBC/OU co-production, Empire with David Olusoga, begins on BBC Two and iPlayer at 9.00pm.

In this new series, historian and broadcaster David Olusoga explores the rise, rule and lasting impact of the British Empire – one of the most powerful and far-reaching forces in world history.

Drawing on rich archives, expert insight and personal stories from across the globe, Olusoga examines how the Empire’s ambition shaped both Britain and the wider world, and how its legacies continue to influence society today.

Across three episodes, the series traces the Empire’s origins in the 16th century through its global expansion across the Americas, Asia and Africa. It explores the movement of people – from the transatlantic slave trade to convict transportation to Australia – and concludes by examining the Empire’s decline and the enduring legacies that continue to shape the modern world.

Series “makes big themes come alive”

The production was supported by academic consultant Karl Hack, Professor of History at The Open University, who provided expertise and insight during its development.

Professor Karl Hack said:

“I enjoyed contributing to the development of this series. It explores the British empire both as a global phenomenon and a lived experience, providing a compact and thought-provoking overview of what remains an impossibly large and sometimes hotly contested topic, with its never-ending impacts across the centuries.”   

“This series makes big themes – enslavement, settlement, the fate of first peoples, immigration to Britain, and Britain’s role in constructing our globalised world – come alive through key events, and through individuals’ and groups’ stories.”

The series supports several OU qualifications and modules including: Q01 BA (Honours) History, F89 MA in History, Q97 BA (Honours) History and Politics, R14 BA (Honours) Arts and Humanities and R65 BA (Honours) History and Languages.

Supporting Online content:

An exclusive interview with David Olusoga

Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships

Academic Consultant: Professor Karl Hack

Media Fellow: Dr Emily Bullock

Broadcast Project Manager: Matthew Ray

OU Connect Content Producer: Patrick Kearney

Header image credit: BBC / Hillgate Films and Voltage TV