How did a small island once rule over a quarter of the world's population? This shared history still shapes us today - and billions of people are part of its story.
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Reach thousands of daily viewers · size 1200 x 200
Episode 1
David Olusoga tells the story of the British Empire, from its origins under Elizabeth I to the establishment of colonies in America, the Caribbean and India.
Episode 2
David Olusoga reveals how the loss of the American colonies led to the colonisation of Australia and how the Indian indenture system was established.
Episode 3
David Olusoga reveals how the Empire reached its maximum size after the First World War but within a generation had begun to collapse, as he uncovers the story of decolonisation.
David Olusoga
Presenter
Reach thousands of daily viewers · size 970 x 90
1988 · ★ 6.5
2026 · ★ 8.2
2010 · ★ 8.8
2019 · ★ 6.6
2021 · ★ 7.3
2022 · ★ 6.7
2020 · ★ 7.1
1978 · ★ 8.0
2019 · ★ 7.5
2020 · ★ 7.4
2018 · ★ 6.4
2016 · ★ 6.5
2022 · ★ 8.1
2023 · ★ 7.5
2020 · ★ 7.5
1969 · ★ 8.2
2020 · ★ 7.7
2001 · ★ 7.7
2000 · ★ 6.4
2004 · ★ 7.5