Channel 5 has commissioned Rich Times, Poor Times, a new three-part history series featuring broadcaster Rob Rinder and historian Ruth Goodman. The show, produced by Lion Television and GroupM Motion Entertainment, will see the duo explore major historical events through the contrasting experiences of the wealthy and the impoverished.
Here’s the Lowdown: The 3 x 90′ series will have Rinder and Goodman “travel back in time” to events like the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the Blitz. They’ll uncover how people from different social classes coped with these crises, visiting historical locations and bringing these pivotal moments to life.
What This Means Now: The series offers a fresh perspective on well-known historical events by highlighting the disparities in how the rich and poor experienced them. The pairing of Rinder, known for his legal background and broadcasting skills, with Goodman, a respected social historian, should provide an interesting and insightful on screen dynamic.
The Bigger Picture: By focusing on the social history of these significant events, Rich Times, Poor Times aims to connect with contemporary audiences, at a time when issues surrounding wealth, inequality and human experience are at the forefront. The show underscores how differently major crises can impact people based on their social standing. The series is currently in production and will air on Channel 5 later this year.
