BBC World Service Brings Witness History to Life with AI Animation

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC World Service is experimenting with a new way of presenting its journalism, announcing that the long running programme Witness History will be adapted into a series of animated videos created with generative AI technology. The project represents the first time the BBC World Service has used this approach, as it looks for fresh methods to present its storytelling to audiences around the world.

Five recent episodes of Witness History are being turned into animated adaptations. The first of these, The World's First Labradoodle, has already been released on the BBC World Service YouTube channel. It will be followed by animated versions of Brazil's Biggest Bank Heist, Ramesses II's 'Mummy Makeover', The Discovery of Lord Sipan in Peru, and Arrested for Playing Football in Brazil.

The aim of the project is to expand the reach of Witness History by transforming its well known audio storytelling into a visual format. By pairing animation with the original recordings, the BBC hopes to give these stories a new life while making them more accessible to viewers who may not usually encounter the programme in audio form.

Fred Durman, Head of Business Development at BBC World Service, described the initiative as an opportunity to revive existing material in a new way. He said the use of generative AI allows the organisation to give its original programming a second life and connect with audiences through a different style of presentation.

Anna Doble, Digital Editor at BBC World Service, explained that the team is exploring how AI tools can help bring the programme's stories to life visually. She said the organisation is interested to see how new viewers respond to this approach as the episodes begin reaching wider audiences.

Animator Guang Jin Yeo of 1UpMedia, who worked on the project, said the goal was to create animation that complements the original audio without losing the careful storytelling that defines Witness History. He added that generative AI makes it possible to open up the BBC World Service archive of narrative audio for viewers who might never have discovered these stories otherwise.

The first animated episode, Witness History: The World's First Labradoodle, is already available to watch, while the remaining adaptations will follow as the project continues. Alongside the new videos, Witness History remains available as a weekday programme on BBC World Service English and as a podcast through BBC Sounds and other BBC podcast platforms.

Star City: A New Perspective on the Space Race

Image: Rhys Ifans in "Star City," Apple TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Apple TV is about to return to the world of For All Mankind, but this time the story takes a very different direction. The new drama Star City expands that alternate history universe and shifts the focus behind the Iron Curtain, offering a look at the Soviet side of the space race. After seeing the first details and cast announcements, it already feels like the kind of series that could deepen the mythology of that world while telling a tense story of its own.

The eight episode series will launch globally on Apple TV on Friday 29 May with the first two episodes arriving together. From that point, new instalments will follow weekly every Friday until the finale on 10 July.

Star City is described as a propulsive paranoid thriller, and the premise alone is enough to spark curiosity. The story revisits the key turning point in the alternate history timeline where the Soviet Union becomes the first nation to land a man on the moon. Instead of watching events unfold from the American side, the series looks inward at the Soviet programme itself. It follows the cosmonauts who trained for the mission, the engineers responsible for making the impossible possible, and the intelligence officers working quietly within the programme. All of them are bound together by risk, secrecy, and the drive to push humanity further into space.

The cast is impressive and packed with familiar faces from recent television. Rhys Ifans leads the ensemble, joined by Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O'Casey, Alice Englert, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Josef Davies and Priya Kansara. With actors known for work in shows such as House of the Dragon, Motherland, Chernobyl, Andor and Bridgerton, the line up suggests a strong character driven drama rather than a spectacle alone.

Behind the camera, the creative team adds even more reason for excitement. Star City is created by Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert and Ronald D. Moore, the same minds who helped shape the acclaimed world of For All Mankind. Wolpert and Nedivi serve as showrunners, while Moore executive produces alongside Maril Davis of Tall Ship Productions. Andrew Chambliss and Steve Oster also join the executive producing team. The series is produced for Apple TV by Sony Pictures Television.

What makes Star City particularly intriguing is the shift in perspective. For All Mankind explored an alternate version of history where the space race continued to escalate, but it largely centred on the American side of the rivalry. This new series promises to reveal the people and pressures behind the Soviet programme, opening the door to a side of that world we have only glimpsed before.

For anyone who enjoys tense political storytelling mixed with the ambition of space exploration, this looks like a fascinating addition to the For All Mankind universe. With its Cold War backdrop, a cast full of strong performers, and a story rooted in secrecy and scientific daring, Star City already feels like one of those shows that will be difficult to ignore once it begins. The countdown to May suddenly seems a lot longer.

Doctor Foster to Return for Final Chapter

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Foster will return for a third and final series, bringing Gemma Foster's story to a close. Created and written by Mike Bartlett, the new five part run will see Suranne Jones step back into her multi award winning role as Gemma, alongside Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom. Produced by Drama Republic for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, filming is set to begin later this spring.

It has been ten years since Gemma uncovered her husband Simon's affair and set in motion a calculated act of revenge. The consequences were severe, culminating in her 15 year old son Tom vanishing. In the new series, Gemma remains a GP and still lives in the same house, yet she stands on the edge of change. She has met someone new and is preparing to remarry. As the wedding approaches and loved ones gather, old secrets begin to surface, threatening her happiness and her standing in the community. Determined to shield those closest to her and uncover who is intent on causing harm, Gemma is once again forced to confront the past and decide whether justice can finally be served.

Reflecting on her return, Suranne Jones said the timing felt right. She explained that distance from the first two series was needed, as was the chance for Tom to return as an adult with his own questions. For her, this chapter centres on accountability and whether it is ever truly possible to cut ties with the damage that lingers. She described working again with Mike Bartlett and the Drama Republic team as exciting, and said she is eager to begin filming.

Mike Bartlett said he had long hoped to complete Gemma's story, describing it as the tale of a woman seeking fairness in an unfair world. He noted that the themes feel as relevant now as when Gemma first found a single blonde hair on a scarf. He also spoke of the pleasure of reuniting with Drama Republic, Tom Taylor, Bertie Carvel and Suranne Jones to revisit Parminster, where secrets and betrayals still simmer.

Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky of Drama Republic said they are thrilled to bring the finale to screen, praising the gripping scripts and the chance to see Gemma and Simon face each other again after a decade. Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, called it a privilege to welcome the show back after almost ten years, crediting the writing, production team and cast for the impact of the first two series.

When it first aired in 2015 and 2017, Doctor Foster became a major hit in the UK, with close to ten million viewers tuning in for the series two finale. It also received widespread critical acclaim and National Television Awards for both runs, while Suranne Jones won a BAFTA for her performance as Gemma Foster.

Filming will take place in and around Hertfordshire. The first two series are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Industry to End with Fifth and Final Season

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

Industry will return for a fifth season, which has now been confirmed as the show's last. The critically acclaimed drama from Bad Wolf is set to close the book on its story after one more chapter, bringing a sharp, high pressure world to its natural conclusion.

Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, the series wraps up its eight-episode fourth season on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Monday 1 March 2026. Over the years it has built a reputation for its unsparing look at ambition, loyalty and the cost of success. That tension has only intensified in its latest run.

Season four throws Harper, played by Myha'la, and Yasmin, played by Marisa Abela, into a high stakes and globe spanning cat and mouse chase when a flashy fintech sensation storms into London. As Yasmin steers her complicated relationship with tech founder Sir Henry Muck, portrayed by Kit Harington, Harper finds herself caught in the orbit of the mysterious executive Whitney Halberstram, played by Max Minghella. Under the strain of money, influence and the need to come out on top, their already tangled friendship begins to buckle and flare.

Industry is created, written and executive produced by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay. It is a Bad Wolf production for HBO and the BBC. Executive producers include Jane Tranter, Kate Crowther and Ryan Rasmussen for Bad Wolf, Kathleen McCaffrey for Little Gems, and Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC. Directors across the series include Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, Michelle Savill and Luke Snellin, with writing credits shared by Down, Kay and Joseph Charlton.

Claudia Winkleman Steps Into the Chat Show Spotlight

Image: BC Press

By Jon Donnis

Claudia Winkleman is taking centre stage with her own chat show for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, marking a fresh chapter for one of the corporation's most familiar faces. Produced by So Television, part of ITV Studios and the team behind the multi award-winning The Graham Norton Show, the new series promises big names, lively conversation and the warm buzz of a studio audience.

Best known for co-presenting Strictly Come Dancing and for hosting The Traitors, Winkleman will now welcome stars from film, television, music and beyond to her sofa. The format leans into her quick wit and self-deprecating humour, qualities that have long made her a viewer favourite. Speaking about the opportunity, she admitted she can hardly believe it, adding that she is hugely grateful to the BBC. In typical style, she joked that she will probably be awful but is thrilled they are letting her have a go.

The Claudia Winkleman Show begins at 10.40pm on Friday 13 March 2026, airing on BBC One and available on BBC iPlayer. The first episode lines up an eclectic mix of guests. Jeff Goldblum, known for Jurassic Park and Wicked, will be there to talk about Night Blooms, the latest album from his band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. Vanessa Williams will reflect on her role in the West End hit The Devil Wears Prada. Jennifer Saunders is set to discuss her new film The Magic Faraway Tree, while comedian Josh Widdicombe will introduce his new podcast, Museum of Pop Culture.

With a strong debut line-up and a host who rarely plays it straight, the show looks set to offer plenty of sharp exchanges and unexpected moments as Winkleman makes the leap into the Friday night chat arena.

Tempting Fortune Returns for a Third Series

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has confirmed that its hit reality show Tempting Fortune is set to return for a third series, once again produced by Voltage TV in collaboration with Motion Entertainment, part of WPP Media.

Rob Beckett will take on hosting duties for the new series as 12 fresh contestants face tougher challenges, trickier temptations, and even higher stakes in the show's signature mix of comedy and high-pressure adventure.

Following the success of the first two series, the format remains the same: contestants trek through the Malaysian jungle with minimal supplies, relying on their determination and endurance. They begin with a £300,000 group prize pot, which can be spent on tempting luxuries along the way, from a hot meal to a soft bed or even a phone call home. Every indulgence reduces the pot, meaning each decision carries weight for the whole team.

This series promises bigger and more emotionally charged temptations, with major brands providing comfort items designed to challenge contestants' resolve. Extreme conditions, unexpected twists, and Rob Beckett's humour will guide viewers through every moment as the group navigates both the physical and emotional demands of the jungle.

Fans can expect more tension, more laughter, and more dramatic decisions as the contestants balance survival with the lure of temptation in a series that continues to push limits and test friendships under pressure.

Rob Beckett said, "Put people in the jungle, take away everything nice, then tempt them with hot showers and burgers. It's hilarious. Everyone thinks they can resist temptation … until they're hot and filthy, and suddenly morals go out the window. I'm very happy to be hosting this show, especially from the comfort of a lovely crew hotel." 

COMPETITION: Win Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order Season 1 on Blu-ray

Anne Rice's Talamasca: The Secret Order Season 1 arrives on Blu-ray and DVD 2 March, courtesy of Acorn Media International.

And to celebrate we have a copy on Blu-ray to give away!

Synopsis:

First introduced in the hit series’ Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, fans can now dive into the world of the Talamasca, the secret society responsible for tracking and containing witches, vampires, and other creatures scattered around the globe. A thrilling tale of espionage with a chilling paranormal twist, the genre-defying series follows Guy Anatole, a young man who is recruited by the Talamasca and lured into the seductive underworld of supernatural secrets and spies.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4kWfDH0

Enter now for a chance to win.

What is the name of the charcter played by Nicholas Denton in Talamasca: The Secret Order?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 09-03-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.