New BBC show to explore the history of a humble London flat throughout time

The show, hosted by historian David Olusoga, is now on its fifth series with previous editions exploring a home in Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol.

Unlike its previous series, the new edition will be set in a flat in London’s Marylebone as well as one in Berlin, titling the show ‘A House Through Time: Two Cities at War’.

Telling stories of the lives of the people who lived in the homes, the BBC Two show will reveal what life was really like for citizens of the UK and Germany at that time.

London flat to be explored in new BBC show

David Olusoga sets out to uncover the extraordinary stories of the residents of two apartment buildings in London and Berlin from the 1920s to the end of the Second World War.

Starts this Thursday 17th October 9PM on BBC Two. pic.twitter.com/9BnyLsKeD9

— Twenty Twenty TV (@TwentyTwentyTV) October 15, 2024

The series starts in a Baker Street mansion block as host David explains how the First World War affected the life of Major John-Murray-Smith.

Along with the life of cinema entrepreneur Cecil Bernstein who was aware and alarmed by the rise of pro-Nazi newsreels shown in theatres.

While there is a detailed backstory into the life of the London flat owners, in a block in Kurfürstendamm, Berlin, there is less information.

In Berlin, where Hitler had forbade mixed marriage, Togo was born but German citizen Bonifazius Folli was forced to divorce his wife, dermatologist Dr Herbert Rosenfeld.

Bonifazius lost his job while teacher Hildegarde Fromm indoctrinated children with Nazi views, according to Radio Times.

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The BBC Two series will explore the lives of everyone who lived in the two flats, including an Italian resident in London called Claudio Foglia who suddenly finds himself declared an enemy alien.

Reviewing the new series, the Radio Times describes A House Through Time as a “brilliant way to extend the series’ living history format, the research that’s gone into this is mind-boggling.”

A House Through Time airs on BBC Two on Thursday, October 17 at 9pm and on BBC iPlayer.