UKTV signals it’s on the right track with two series recommission for The Architecture The Railways Built for Yesterday

The Architecture the Railways Built

15 October 2020

UKTV has commissioned two further series of, The Architecture The Railways Built (2x10x60') for its leading factual channel, Yesterday. The UKTV Original series is produced by Brown Bob Productions and sees railway historian and architecture enthusiast, Tim Dunn, visit examples of the stunning architecture that line the railway network in Britain and beyond, often getting privileged access along the way.

Locations in the first series included the magnificent Ribblehead Viaduct in North Yorkshire, the historic St Pancras station in London and the ultra-modern Rotterdam Centraal station in Holland. The programme also goes beyond the viaducts and stations, stopping at many other buildings that owe their existence to the railways, including signal boxes, tunnels, pedestrian passages, workshops and hotels.

The first series of The Architecture The Railways Built was a critical and ratings success for the channel. Episode one was the best performing factual launch ever on Yesterday, and a total consumption across all ten episodes averaging 510k viewers. Meanwhile, Phil Harrison of The Guardian said the series was "enjoyable and illuminating stuff", while Alison Graham, TV Editor of the Radio Times said, "I love the series and it has become one of my lockdown treats".

The Architecture the Railways Built S1 Promo

The Architecture The Railways Built has been commissioned for UKTV by deputy director of commissioning Hilary Rosen and ordered by Yesterday channel director, Gerald Casey with Kirsty Hanson executive producing for UKTV. Produced by Brown Bob, executive producers are Rob Dersley and Audrey Neil. The series is distributed internationally by Passion Distribution.

UKTV's Hilary Rosen said,

I'm delighted that we are bringing back this jewel of a show with a bumper order. Tim has already developed a devoted following and his deep knowledge and passion for all things railway mean that the audience can expect an even bigger treat.

Jacqueline Hewer, CEO of Brown Bob Productions said,

It's a joy to be diving back into a world of beautiful places and incredibly enthusiastic people. This double commission gives us scope to explore an even wider variety of railway architecture - alongside stunning stations and breath-taking bridges, we have some real surprises in store.

Yesterday's Gerald Casey added,

The Architecture The Railways Built brilliantly managed to remind us that thanks to the railways we've built a wonderful world out there, at a time when it was difficult for many of us to see it for ourselves. I simply can't wait to see more of it, and I know Yesterday viewers will feel the same.

The Architecture The Railways Built is filming now, adhering to all COVID-19 procedures and regulations. The first series is available on demand on UKTV Play. Other recent UKTV Original commissions for Yesterday include, Restoration Workshop, Train Truckers and two further series of the popular Bangers & Cash.

For more information please contact:

Dave Barnsby, Senior Press Office Manager

Notes to Editors:

About Yesterday

Freeview 25 | Sky 155 | Virgin 129 | Freesat 159 | youview 25 On demand on UKTV Play | @yesterdaytweets | yesterday.uktv.co.uk Instagram

Fascinating factual stories from the world around us.

Yesterday showcases original series such as Abandoned Engineering, Secrets of the Railways and Underground Worlds as well as new and exclusive observational documentaries including Bangers & Cash, Architecture The Railways Built and Train Truckers.

The channel also features stunning nature and science programming including David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities and Planet Earth 2, plus seminal war documentaries such as The World at War.

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 25 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.

UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.

corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress

About Brown Bob Productions

Brown Bob Productions is an independent television production company owned and run by experienced producers Nicki Gottlieb and Jacqueline Hewer since 2014.

Brown Bob Productions specialises in high volume, high-rating factual series.

The company has a particular expertise in designing bespoke rigs in order to film people and places in a new and different way. Brown Bob Productions has produced a number of different series for UKTV under the Inside the... brand, including Inside the Ambulance currently in series 11, and Inside the Operating Theatre. It's also behind the ratings-winner Fraud Squad: The Hunt for BBC One.