Channel 5 Commissions New Jason Watkins Led Documentary

Channel 5 has commissioned a new Jason Watkins (Coma, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, W1A) led documentary strand delving into the history of one of London’s most recognisable sites, the Tower of London.

Starting with Jason Watkins and The 9 Day Queen (w/t), each special will be produced by Lion TV and take viewers on a journey to uncover the truth behind tales surrounding the fortress, including exciting revelations about how Jason’s own ancestors are connected to the Tower.

This three-part Tower of London strand was commissioned for Channel 5 by Lucy Willis, Commissioning Editor, Factual, Channel 5, with Sarah Sarkhel to Executive Produce for Lion TV, part of All3 Media.

With the help of historical expert Tracy Borman, these specials will dive into the heart of the Tower of London and bring to light some unexpected treasures as Jason and Tracy explore the Tower's 1000-year history and the role it has played through time. Alongside discovering Jason’s personal connections to the iconic site in the first special, the duo will also cover one of the most notorious murder mysteries in British history – how two young princes in the care of King Richard III disappeared without a trace. They’ll look back at how the Tower was built and its changes over the centuries, and explore the impact of two of Britain’s most famous Queens, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, the royal mother and daughter who changed history.

Jason Watkins shares his excitement about the specials, saying: "After seven years of being the voice of Channel 5’s Inside The Tower of London, this new documentary series will see me make my most personal connection to The Tower of London yet. I was blown away with the unexpected discoveries and I can’t wait to see them play out on screen."

Lucy Willis, Commissioning Editor, Factual, Channel 5 adds: "Jason Watkins’s passion for history shines through as he takes us on a journey, along with Tracy Borman, into some of the most incredible Tower stories down the centuries. And who could have guessed that Jason himself would turn out to have such a central role in tower history."