Series

A History of Britain

★ 8.4(13)20001h 0m3 seasons

A History of Britain isn't available to stream, rent or buy in Japan right now. Availability changes often, so check back soon. Availability checked 21 July 2026.

Where to watch A History of Britain

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Streaming in other regions

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Good to know

Release date: 2000-09-30
Runtime: 1h 0m
Language: English
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 15
Network: BBC Two
Status: Ended
Country: United Kingdom
Studio: BBC

About A History of Britain

A History of Britain is a 2000 web series in the Documentary genre, starring Simon Schama, Michael Kitchen and Lindsay Duncan. It spans 3 seasons and 15 episodes, and originally aired on BBC Two. It holds an average rating of 8.4/10 from 13 viewers. Below you can see where to watch A History of Britain in Japan — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

Stretching from the Stone Age to the year 2000, Simon Schama's Complete History of Britain does not pretend to be a definitive chronicle of the turbulent events which buffeted and shaped the British Isles. What Schama does do, however, is tell the story in vivid and gripping narrative terms, free of the fustiness of traditional academe, personalising key historical events by examining the major characters at the centre of them. Not all historians would approve of the history depicted here as shaped principally by the actions of great men and women rather than by more abstract developments, but Schama's way of telling it is a good deal more enthralling as a result. Schama successfully gives lie to the idea that the history of Britain has been moderate and temperate, passing down the generations as stately as a galleon, taking on board sensible ideas but steering clear of sillier, revolutionary ones. Nonsense. Schama retells British history the way it was--as bloody, convulsive, precarious, hot-blooded and several times within an inch of haring off onto an entirely different course. Schama seems almost to delight in the goriness of history. Themes returned to repeatedly include the wars between the Scots and the Irish and the Catholic/Protestant conflicts--only the Irish question remains unresolved by the new millennium. As Britain becomes a constitutional monarchy, Schama talks less of Kings and Queens but of poets and idea-makers like Orwell. Still, with his pungent, direct manner and against an evocative visual and aural backdrop, Schama makes history seem as though it happened yesterday, the bloodstains not yet dry.

Seasons (3)

At the Edge of the World?7 eps · 2000

The British Wars4 eps · 2001

The Fate of Empire4 eps · 2002

Cast

Simon Schama

Self — Presenter

Michael Kitchen

Reader

Lindsay Duncan

Reader

Themes & keywords

queen elizabeth ibritainbritish historyancient britainjacobite rebellionstonehenge

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch A History of Britain in Japan?+

A History of Britain is not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service in Japan. Availability changes often, so check back or switch your region.

Is A History of Britain on Netflix?+

A History of Britain is not on Netflix in Japan right now.

How many seasons of A History of Britain are there?+

A History of Britain has 3 seasons and 15 episodes in total.

Who stars in A History of Britain?+

A History of Britain stars Simon Schama, Michael Kitchen and Lindsay Duncan.

When did A History of Britain come out?+

A History of Britain is a 2000 web series.

What genre is A History of Britain?+

A History of Britain is Documentary series.