A+E Networks UK has commissioned Studio71 UK, a Red Arrow Studios company, for a returning series of Forged with Steele, starring 22-year-old blacksmith and YouTube star Alec Steele, for SKY HISTORY in early 2021.
Forged With Steele follows blacksmith and YouTuber Alec Steele, as he creates an array of iconic weaponry from across the ages.
In the series, Steele has now moved from Norwich to the wilds of Montana, where – with his bladesmith friend, Will Stelter – he is plying his trade among the farmers, miners and ranchers of the famous ‘Big Sky Country’.
The new 12×30 series follows Steele as he acquires ancient skills including gem-setting, inlaying and engraving, to reconstruct more of history’s most remarkable armaments, including the 16th Century Zweihander – sword which stands at 1.4m high, an ornate Cavalry sabre inspired by those used in the American Civil War, as well as eighteenth century naval boarding axes. Steele also tries his hand at deadly concealed weapons such as Chinese rope darts and a sword disguised as a cane.
Steele has an audience of over 2 million subscribers and 340+ million video views on YouTube. In 2017, HISTORY profiled him for the series Forged in Britain, which explored the lives of five contemporary forgers in the UK. His first series, Forged With Steele, premiered on HISTORY UK in October 2018 and followed the young blacksmith at his workshop in Norwich.
Alec Steele says “I’m so excited for the launch of series 2 of Forged With Steele where viewers can follow me as I create even more of history’s most astonishing weapons. Since series 1, I’ve advanced my blacksmithing skills and begun learning the art of gem-setting, inlaying and engraving so I can recreate these incredible pieces of history with even more detail.”
Forged With Steele series 2 was ordered by Dan Korn, VP Programming at A+E Networks UK. For Studio71 UK, Tom Payne is series producer, with Jody Smith and Tom Payne as executive producers.
Dan Korn, VP of Programming at A+E Networks® UK commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Alec back to Sky History, together with a new talent in Will Stelter. Their expertise and crafting skills are mesmerising and their enthusiasm is infectious. This really is history in the making”
Jody Smith, VP Creative Director from Studio71 UK, added: “We’re thrilled how well the first series performed for HISTORY and it’s great to get back in the workshop with Alec, whose skills continue to amaze us, as he takes on even more ambitious projects in this second series. We’re pleased to have introduced Alec to a new audience that have embraced him on TV as they have done on YouTube.”
Red Arrow Studios International distributes Forged with Steele worldwide.
Jon Creamer
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