BAFTA-WINNER JASON WATKINS TO PRESENT NEW TOWER OF LONDON SPECIALS FOR CHANNEL 5

London, Monday 19th August 2024: Channel 5 has commissioned a new Jason Watkins (Coma, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, W1A) led documentary strand (2x60’, 1x90’) 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.”   

Sarah Sarkhel, Executive Producer, Lion TV concludes: “It’s been wonderful to work with Jason on Inside the Tower of London for seven series - during that time he's brought to life so many fascinating stories from the Tower. It’s amazing that it’s now Jason’s turn to uncover his own unique historical connections to this extraordinary palace and fortress.”   

The Tower of London strand begins with Jason Watkins and The 9 Day Queen (w/t) set to air on Channel 5 & My5 this winter.   

ENDS   

For further press enquiries, please contact:   

Kate Killgour | Kate.Killgour@paramount.com 

Susan Wilks | Susan.Wilks@paramount.com    

NOTES TO EDITORS:   

 ABOUT CHANNEL 5 

Channel 5 is a multi-award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Its portfolio includes digital channels 5STAR, 5USA, 5SELECT, 5ACTION.   

Channel 5 and on-demand platform My5 offer a diverse range of critically acclaimed, original programmes featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent – from issue-led documentaries, popular factual series and accessible history shows to premium drama and agenda-setting news & current affairs. Channel 5 is the only PSB to air children’s content daily through its much-loved programming strand Milkshake!, home to some of the world’s favourite pre-school characters. The free to air channel’s distinctive British programming aims to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK.   

This year Channel 5 has continued to attract industry acclaim for documentary White Nanny Black Child, winning both a BAFTA Television Award (Specialist Factual) and an RTS Award, whilst Endurance Race to the Pole received a BAFTA nomination in the Factual Entertainment category. In 2023, Who Killed Billie Jo? won best documentary series at the inaugural True Crime Awards and home-grown drama All Creatures Great and Small took home the Stress Buster Award at the Radio Times’ Screen Test Awards.   

ABOUT LION TELEVISION

Lion is one of the UK’s leading producers of factual television and content. With bases in London, New York and Glasgow and particular experience in Asia, Lion have been making multi- Emmy, BAFTA, RTS award-winning shows for the last 25 years. At Lion, we produce for the world’s biggest broadcasters and content providers including Netflix, BBC, Microsoft, National Geographic, Channel 4, PBS, Sky and Smithsonian.   Children’s TV series made by Lion include Horrible Histories, Style It Out! with Emma Willis, a sustainable fashion competition  (CBBC), BAFTA-award winning Play Your Pets Right (SKY Kids) and Officially Amazing (CBBC) made with Guinness World Records. Recent series include Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (Netflix), Pompeii: The New Dig (BBC2), Meet The Roman Emperor with Mary Beard (BBC2), Sexy Beasts (Netflix), Arctic From Above (Sky/NBCU), Wild Caribbean (BBC2), 22 Kids and Counting (Five) Homes Under the Hammer (BBC), Alan Cumming’s Paradise Homes (Discovery) and Inside the Tower of London (C5).  Lion has a stellar track-record in documentaries including Secrets of The Saqqara Tomb (one of the Top 5 documentaries in Netflix history), Stolen (BBC’s highly commended Art heist series) and Pompeii: The New Dig (a ratings and critical hit for BBC Two), as well as the recent drama documentary co-production with Tailfeather for Netflix, Alexander: The Making of A God. Lion Television is part of All3Media.