U&Yesterday

A behind the scenes look through the corridors of power in ten of the most opulent and historic royal residences on Earth. We reveal the stories behind the Kings and Queens who lived in these grand homes and uncover the secrets of the architects, engineers and courtiers who brought them to life.

The complex love story of Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, the Empress Alexandra. Through their personally revealing letters, explore the couple's role in the lead up to the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to their eventual brutal and tragic executions.

Tracy Borman reveals the intimate details of the monarchs, to find out what really went on in their private lives.

Lives, loves and scandals - this new and exclusive three-part series takes an intimate look behind the closed doors of one of the most celebrated royal dynasties in British constitutional history. Based on a book by Tracy Borman and presented by Tracy, the series is packed with atmospheric reconstructions bringing to life history's enduring personalities, including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I, and the age in which they lived. From known historical scandal, to the minute details of Tudor habits and rituals, this series is entirely dedicated to revealing the 'private' aspects of life at court.

The stories of History's Ultimate Spies are woven around many notorious plots and infamous characters, and they'll feature in a series that delves into the psyche of the men and women who set up the networks - or destroyed them.

From Ancient Greece to the frozen North, rulers have always needed their elite troops – men trained to perfection, skilled with a devastating array of weaponry – men who will track down their leader’s enemies and kill them. All assassination teams faced one big problem: getting close enough to kill. No one in the ancient world had sniper rifles. As a result even the most formidable Japanese Ninjas got captured and tortured. This series brings some of the most dramatic tales of antiquity to life with a mixture of dramatic reconstruction, documentary filming and expert testimony. Each episode details the intricate complexity of the elite troops who performed the assassination missions and how they worked. It shows what they had to do to achieve elite status, how they could dress, and the weapons they got to use when they completed their first mission.

Uncovers the extraordinary truth behind some of the Mafia's most notorious outlaws, and reveals how the FBI and law enforcement developed the techniques to crack the organization and bring it to justice. This is the story of the rise and fall of the Mafia, told by the people who brought it down.

The enormous popularity of recent British dramas such as Downton Abbey, Mr. Selfridge, and Sherlock, has led to vast interest in the real-life stories and history of the icons of Great Britain. Each episode of this series visits a famous British building or institution to explore its past and present, meeting a wide range of experts and historians along the way.

Fast Show comedians John Thomson and Simon Day embark on a humorous tour of the British counties' bizarre traditions and pastimes.