Series synopsis
Civilisations is a British documentary television series that premiered on BBC Two on April 17, 2018. It ended on July 3, 2018. It stars Liev Schreiber and Jamal J. Elias.
The story of art from the dawn of human history to the present day—for the first time on a global scale. Inspired by Civilisation, Kenneth Clark’s acclaimed landmark 1969 series about Western art, this series broadens the canvas to reveal the role art and the creative imagination have played across multiple cultures and civilizations.
Premise
The story of art from the dawn of human history to the present day—for the first time on a global scale. Inspired by Civilisation, Kenneth Clark’s acclaimed landmark 1969 series about Western art, this series broadens the canvas to reveal the role art and the creative imagination have played across multiple cultures and civilizations.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Liev Schreiber as Narrator
- Jamal J. Elias as self
Guest cast
- Simon Schama as self
- Mary Beard as Presenter
- David Olusoga as Presenter
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 9 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 9 | April 17, 2018 | July 3, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Second Moment of Creation Examine the formative role of art and the creative imagination in the forging of humanity itself. Images and artifacts found in Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and South America testify to the urge to develop civilizations. Liev Schreiber narrates. |
April 17, 2018 |
| 2 |
How Do We Look? Explore the many functions of the human image in art. Portraits, paintings and sculptures, both life-size and colossal, perform a role—assuaging loss, expressing strength, inspiring fear—and were instrumental in depicting the human body today. |
April 24, 2018 |
| 3 |
God and Art Trace the relationship between religion and art, which has inspired some of the most ingenious, affecting, majestic and breathtaking works of art ever made. Yet beneath great works of religious art often lie conflict, intrigue and divine mysteries. |
May 1, 2018 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 17, 2018 |
| Last aired | July 3, 2018 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday at 21:00:00 |