Series synopsis
Secrets of the Museum is a British documentary television series that premiered on BBC Two on February 6, 2020. It stars Dorothy Atkinson.
Unique arts series venturing behind the scenes at the world famous museum of art, design and performance, the V&A.
Premise
Unique arts series venturing behind the scenes at the world famous museum of art, design and performance, the V&A.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Dorothy Atkinson as Self - Narrator
Guest cast
- Yvonne Brewster as Self
- Jimmy Tarbuck as Self
- Sandy Powell as Self
- Laura Howell as Self
- Harris Reed as Self
- James Barnor as Self
- Nick Broomfield as Self
- Bárbara Hulanicki as Self
- Bob Crowley as Self
- Kenneth Grange as Self
- Yinka Ilori as Self
- Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth (archive)
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 18 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | February 6, 2020 | March 12, 2020 |
| Season 2 | 6 | July 20, 2021 | August 24, 2021 |
| Season 3 | 6 | April 7, 2022 | April 27, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Behind the scenes at the Victoria and Albert Museum, a toy elephant needs urgent TLC, Christian Dior gowns get a new lease of life, and Kylie's dressing room gives up its secrets. |
February 6, 2020 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Behind the scenes at the Victoria and Albert Museum, priceless Raphael paintings give up their secrets. Keeper James gets hands on with Beyonce’s ring and Queen Victoria’s coronet. |
February 13, 2020 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Behind the scenes at the V&A, a Mary Quant mini-dress needs a deep clean for a new exhibition. Queen Victoria's writing case goes on show, and curators acquire the banners of Extinction Rebellion. |
February 20, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Jacob Jordaens: Renaissance Watercolours Behind the scenes at the V&A, a suit from glam rockers Slade needs some TLC, a Michelangelo gives up its secrets and a rare Renaissance watercolour requires urgent attention. |
July 20, 2021 |
| 2 |
Epic Iran Some of the largest paintings ever seen at the V&A are unveiled, Manuel’s costume from Fawlty Towers goes on show, and the museum’s oldest teddy bear has a special visitor. |
July 27, 2021 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 At the V&A, a rare set of Lucian Freud prints creates a stir, a fragile 600-year-old tapestry is on the move, and a new exhibition attempts to bring Alice in Wonderland to life. |
August 3, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Curator Annemarie prepares a major new exhibition on Beatrix Potter. The V&A holds the world's largest collection of the author's sketches, illustrations and writings, and now Annemarie is hoping the exhibition will highlight Potter's special relationship with the natural world. |
April 7, 2022 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 At the V&A, John Constable's landscape prints are revealed, Minnie the Minx takes charge and the memento of a royal love affair goes on show. |
April 13, 2022 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 At the V&A, curators must display the museum's biggest-ever object, a bionic hand arrives and secrets of artist Eric Ravilious's work for the Wedgwood company are uncovered. |
April 14, 2022 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 6, 2020 |
| Last aired | April 27, 2022 |
| Runtime | 59 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Wednesday, Thursday at 20:00:00 |