The Victorians

Latest Episodes

• Season 1 Episode 4: Dreams and Nightmares

  Jeremy Paxman reveals how, in the final years of Victoria's reign, artists led a revolt against materialistic social values, preferring to depict an idealised world filled with knights, damsels and fairies. In addition to meeting two spiritualist mediums who give him their unique view of the subject, he visits Broadmoor hospital, where painter Richard Dadd spent his final years. Last in the series

• Season 1 Episode 3: Having It All

  Jeremy Paxman continues his journey through Victorian Britain through the art of the era, exploring the power of the British Empire. He views a CGI re-creation of the Crystal Palace - the venue for the Great Exhibition of 1851, in which the nation celebrated its widespread influence. He also examines works that depict the rise of mass advertising and the consequences of workers being forced off the land, and tells the story of a pivotal London dock strike in 1889 Producer: Robin Dashwood Series Producer: Julian Birkett

• Season 1 Episode 2: Home Sweet Home

  Jeremy Paxman explores how the artists of the period portrayed domestic life, some using their works to romanticise family life and others to convey a morality tale about the dangers of adultery and drink. He also investigates the world of sexuality at a museum of Victorian anatomies, and contrasts depictions of the pampered middle-class childhood with those of the less fortunate poor