One Tribe TV has been commissioned by ZDF (for ARTE) and Blue Ant Studios to produce a history documentary series that tells the story of England’s bloody Civil War, the execution of Charles I, and the eventual restoration of the monarchy.
A Kingdom in Chaos (2 x 60 mins & 1 x 90 mins) combines drama reconstruction with expert testimony, examining how, in just a few turbulent years, England descended into civil war, executed its king, abolished the monarchy, and established a republic, only to restore the Crown once again. With the accession of King Charles III, A Kingdom in Chaos also asks whether the legacy of the Stuarts’ struggle for divine power and the shadow of revolution still shape the monarchy today.
Owen Gay, Executive Producer and Co-Founder of One Tribe, says: “This is history at its most visceral – bloody battles, daring escapes, merciless revenge, and seismic political upheaval. But it’s also a story with urgent modern resonance. As England crowns a new King Charles, A Kingdom in Chaos explores what lessons history still has to teach us about power, leadership, and belief.”
The series explores the rise and fall of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell’s bloody conquest of Ireland, the short-lived English Republic, and the dramatic return of Charles II. Against this backdrop, it also charts the impact across Europe, from the witch trials of the 1640s to the stirrings of revolution in France a century later.
Peter Allenbacher, Senior Editor at ZDF/ARTE, added: “A Kingdom in Chaos provides a brilliant insight into a pivotal moment of British history, as well as the development of political thought in Western European society. In modern times, people cannot imagine what it meant to an ordinary 17th-century citizen to condemn to death – and decapitate – their god-appointed king. Neither could, at this time, Charles’ I, fellow kings and queens on their thrones high above the scaffold.
“This production’s approach will transport viewers right into the heart of the workings of the Stuart dynasty. It presents a unique understanding of the mind and motives of James I, Charles I and Charles II and is a compelling story to watch. Audiences will be able to judge for themselves what led Charles I directly to the scaffold: republican policy or his obstinacy to view his situation in a reasonable light?”
Based in Wales and Bath, One Tribe is owned and run by Dale Templar and Owen Gay and produces a wide range of popular and specialist factual content. Recent One Tribe TV series include In the Footsteps of Marco Polo for CCTV/Blue Ant, Sex: A Bonkers History for Sky History, The Emerald Isles for BBC/TG4, Wonders of the Celtic Deep for the BBC, Jonnie’s Blade Camp for Channel 4 and BAFTA Cymru-nominated Liz Johnson: Swimming Against the Tide for BBC One Wales and iPlayer. It exclusively produces the One Big Thank You segment on BBC One’s The One Show, along with many of its vts – making more film content for The One Show than any other company in the UK.
A Kingdom in Chaos is produced and directed by Mimi Templar-Gay. Owen Gay from One Tribe is executive producer. It was commissioned by Peter Allenbacher at ZDF/ARTE and
Lilla Hurst at Blue Ant Studios. Blue Ant Rights is handling international distribution.
Pippa Considine
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