Uncovering the mysteries of the human brain in new OU / BBC programme

Posted on 29 September 2025 • Science, maths, computing and technology, TV and radio

A new two-part OU / BBC series, Secrets of the Brain, begins today (29 September) at 9pm on BBC Two and available to watch on catch up through BBC iPlayer.

Join renowned theoretical physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili on an epic journey through 600 million years of evolution to uncover how the human brain, the most complex structure we know of in the universe, came to exist.

With some 100 billion neurons and over 100 trillion connections—more than all the stars in the Milky Way—the human brain is one of nature’s greatest achievements. But how did something so incredibly sophisticated evolve from the simplest beginnings?

You can watch next week’s episode on 6 October at 9pm.

The series was supported by OU academics, Dr Laura Lopez-Cruz and Dr Jim Hague, who provided expertise and insight during its development.

Dr Jim Hague commented:

“As a biophysicist doing research into understanding and predicting how strokes happen in the brain, I have been really fascinated to work as the academic consultant on the BBC co-production ‘Secrets of the Brain’.

“I am excited that viewers will learn how different regions of the brain evolved and that the physics of the surrounding environment often shaped how our brains work.”

Supporting Online content:

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site, OU Connect – Are you curious about how MRI technology can reveal the secrets of your brain? Watch the open university’s new animation, exploring how an MRI works and what it reveals!

This series was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, with particular relevance to Q71 BSc Health Sciences, Q64 BSc Natural Sciences (Biology), R58 BSc Biology

• Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships

• Academic Consultants: Dr Laura Lopez-Cruz and Dr Jim Hague

• Media Fellow: Prof. Zhraa Alhaboby

• Broadcast Project Manager: Jo Shipp

• Supporting Online Content: Patrick Kearney

Header image: Prof Jim Al-Khalili (Presenter), credit: Furnace Ltd / BBC