UKTV’s flagship factual channel, Yesterday, has ordered a third season of “Secrets of the London Underground” (10×60′) from the production company Brown Bob. Both of Brown Bob’s previous seasons have been huge hits on Yesterday. The first season premiered in July 2021 and was Yesterday’s most successful new-show launch to that point. The second season premiered in 2022 and was Yesterday’s second strongest new-show launch of that year.
Presenters Tim Dunn (The Architecture The Railways Built) and Siddy Holloway (Engagement Manager, London Transport Museum) are back for a third season set to premiere later in 2023.
Siddy, in her capacity as an employee of the London Transport Museum, gets access to a number of restricted areas of the extensive London Underground system, where she can share intriguing facts of British social and rail history, while Tim discovers other historical jewels in the museum’s archives. Leicester Square, which was home to the world’s longest escalator, and South Kensington, which dates back to 1868, are just two of the historically noteworthy locations that the new series plans to cover in London’s underground system.
Helen Nightingale, UKTV’s head of factual and factual entertainment, commissioned the series Secrets of the London Underground, with the backing of Yesterday channel director Gerald Casey and director of commissioning Hilary Rosen. Brown Bob is the production company responsible for the show, and Emma Roberts Price serves as executive producer alongside Charlotte Dawes, who is in charge of producing the series.
UKTV’s Helen Nightingale said, “I love Secrets of the London Underground! The way the programme brings the history of the Tube to life in such a unique manner is really wonderful. I’m so pleased that Siddy, Tim and the brilliant team at Brown Bob have found even more secrets to share with us.”
Jacqueline Hewer, CEO of Brown Bob said, “There is such a fascination with the London Underground, and we’re delighted to be able to take Yesterday viewers behind the scenes of the tube once again. We’ve got more hidden places to unlock and more intriguing secrets to reveal – with Tim and Siddy bringing stations to life in their brilliantly enthusiastic way.”
Gerald Casey added, “I’m so pleased we can bring Secrets of the London Underground back for a third series. The programme has captured the imagination of Yesterday viewers, and it’s easy to see why with such brilliant access, expert insight and warm enthusiasm. We can’t wait for series three to air later this year.”
London Transport Museum’s director Sam Mullins OBE said, “As the Underground celebrates its 160th year in 2023, it’s brilliant for us to be bringing more of its secrets to Yesterday’s viewers in a third series. I thought I knew the Tube pretty well but can’t wait myself to see Siddy and Tim unlock the door on more unexplored locations and delve into the Museum’s archives to reveal more stories from the London’s unique history.”
Secrets of the London Underground is in production now and will join The Architecture The Railways Built, Hornby: A Model World, Bangers & Cash and spin-off sister show, Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics as original shows returning to the Yesterday channel for a new series in 2023, alongside the brand new, Classic Car Garage. All episodes will also be available to stream for free on UKTV Play.