Who Do You Think You Are?

In this gripping documentary episode of a new series, TV presenter and comedian Sue Perkins uncovers the hidden past of her orphaned grandfather and a great‑grandfather interned as an ‘enemy alien’ during the First World War (WWI). The programme highlights the emotional journey, blending personal history with British TV storytelling, offering UK viewers a compelling mix of drama and entertainment at a glance, perfect for the television guide’s quick overview of UK television’s latest Really programming episode.

Sue Perkins, the beloved TV presenter and comedian, returns to the screen in a new series that blends humour with heartfelt history. In this documentary‑driven programme, Perkins uncovers the story of her orphaned grandfather and discovers that her great‑grandfather was interned as an “enemy alien” during the First World War. The series, commissioned for the Really channel, consists of three hour‑long episodes that chart her investigative journey from family archives to national records, offering UK viewers a fresh perspective on personal heritage and wartime Britain. Each episode delivers a balanced mix of investigative journalism, archive footage and Perkins’s signature wit. Viewers will follow her to the National Archives, local libraries and the former internment camp sites, while listening to expert historians explain the legal and social context of wartime internment. Interwoven with these factual strands are intimate interviews with distant relatives and community members, creating an in‑depth review of how ordinary families were caught up in the wider drama of the Great War. The tone remains warm and accessible, ensuring the programme feels both entertaining and educational. The series stands out for its rich visual archive, including rare photographs, handwritten letters and period newspapers that bring the early twentieth‑century narrative to life. Perkins’s on‑screen presence adds a layer of comedy that never undermines the seriousness of the subject, but rather makes the history feel relatable. Highlights include a visit to the former internment camp at the Isle of Man, a poignant reading of a great‑grandfather’s internment diary, and a surprise reunion with a distant cousin who holds a missing family heirloom. These moments provide full details that satisfy both history buffs and fans of light‑hearted documentary entertainment. The series taps into a growing appetite for personal stories that illuminate national history, a trend evident across UK television and British TV documentary output. By exploring themes of identity, displacement and resilience, the programme resonates with viewers who have their own family mysteries to unravel. Sue Perkins’s popularity as a presenter adds a familiar face that draws in a broad demographic, from comedy lovers to serious documentary fans. The blend of drama, documentary and entertainment makes it a compelling addition to any television guide for UK viewers seeking thoughtful yet engaging content. Really has built a reputation for factual entertainment that combines investigative depth with approachable storytelling, and this series fits seamlessly into that portfolio. It joins other acclaimed titles that explore untold histories and personal narratives, reinforcing the channel’s commitment to high‑quality documentary series. For fans of Really programming, the Sue Perkins series offers a fresh, emotionally resonant episode structure that aligns with the channel’s ethos of delivering compelling British TV that educates as much as it entertains.