Series synopsis
Empire with David Olusoga is a British documentary television series that premiered on BBC Two on November 7, 2025. It was created by David Olusoga. It stars David Olusoga.
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.
Premise
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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- David Olusoga as Presenter
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | November 7, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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. |
November 7, 2025 |
| 2 |
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. |
November 14, 2025 |
| 3 |
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. |
November 21, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 7, 2025 |
| Last aired | November 21, 2025 |
| Runtime | 59 minutes |
| Status | continue |