Channel 5 has ordered a major landmark six-part history series with three Indies commissioned to make two shows each.
Middlechild, Lambent Productions and Raise the Roof Productions will each create two two-hour specials for 1000 Years of History.
1000 Years of History (6 x 120 minutes) will explore the defining stories of six of the world’s nations; China, Russia, America, Australia, Scotland and Ireland. Told through “compelling archive and contemporary footage, as well as expert insight and analysis,” each of the six two hour specials will focus on one nation’s unique story and dramatic changes across the centuries.
The three indies have all been commissioned as equal production partners. They will combine efforts in a number of areas, sharing materials including archive content and contributors, alongside creating individual narratives for their respective specials. The series is currently being filmed and will air later this year on Channel 5.
All three indies are fully regional, with Raise the Roof Productions based in Glasgow and Lambent Productions and Middlechild in Brighton.
“Now more than ever it’s important to create progressive, flexible and nimble processes that benefit producers and also meet the creative and commercial needs of the channel,” Emma Westcott, Commissioning Editor, Channel 5 commented. “By establishing this new transparent and collaborative way of working, we envisage that these three like-minded independent companies will come up with something quite special for the 1000 years strand.”
Produced by Raise the Roof Productions 1000 Years of History – Scotland and 1000 Years of History – Ireland will explore each countries’ history, discovering how certain events, people and places have shaped the nations as we know them today.
1000 years of History – China and 1000 Years of History – Russia, produced by Lambent Productions, will document key moments in two of the oldest and historically richest nations in the world.
Finally, Middlechild is producing 1000 Years of History – Australia and 1000 Years of History – America. Both focus on the fate of indigenous people, early European settlers and colonialism, the birth of democracy and federal governments, through to industrialisation and present day.
Jon Creamer
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