Specialist factual: Religion and ethics

The UK's religious landscape is changing but appetite for content in this area is undiminished and, in several places, growing.

Religion and ethics can be embedded in any conversation, genre or story, so whether reflecting a particular faith, an ethical question or spirituality more broadly, how can we produce programmes that grab the attention of audiences – whether they follow a religious tradition or otherwise?

We commission singles, formats and series and are looking for a strong performance on iPlayer as well as linear. To help do that, think about tone, talent, shape and above all – be ambitious.

Impactful singles

We’ve had great success with talent-led singles as a way of bringing wide audiences to the conversation about faith and belief. How can we continue to share surprising and uniquely personal stories from some of our most well-loved faces?

Amol Rajan Goes to the Ganges saw one of TV and radio’s best-loved hosts asking personal questions about religion and faith, while coming to terms with enormous personal loss. The film had a compelling provocation at its heart: what can religious tradition and ritual offer those who might identify as non-believers at some of life’s most significant moments? Amol’s personal story engaged audiences with a universal theme of grief and loss, as well as inviting viewers to understand more about Hindu practices with the promise of great spectacle and scale through the precinct of India’s Kumbh Mela festival. Nominated for a 2026 Grierson award, this film demonstrates the genre’s capacity for joyful, surprising content led by well-loved talent that can garner attention and acclaim.

Harry Clark Goes to Rome saw Harry on a mission to try and meet the new Pope. The boldness of the proposition developed on the success of returning brand Pilgrimage, where Harry explored his Catholic faith on camera for the first time. This film saw Harry in an effort to deepen his connection with his religion, at a time when it was undergoing significant change.

How can we continue to bring new approaches and a fresh tone to the slate? Treating subjects which can be seen as serious in a light-hearted way, but still with clear purpose, could engage a new audience with the genre.

Marking significant moments in religious calendars allows us to reflect individual communities while inviting a broader audience to share insights into that faith. Eid Live and Celebrity Eid are great examples of this. These programmes can make a noise, bring people together around celebration and ritual and open the door to one another’s faith traditions. So, what other religious celebrations and transformational moments can we mark through impactful single films?

Access to hidden worlds

In Young, British and Anti-Abortion and Young, British and Trad Wife, filmmaker Poppy Jay gets inside communities that are driving online trends. Both films are immersive and, at their heart, have the young voices of those engaging in these conversations online. The aim is to understand more about what is really driving these trends and why, adding depth to the clickbait conversation.

What are the next big subjects, conversations or moments we could bring to life? As well as present-tense stories, could we gain access to a past-tense story, something with national recognition which can be told in a new and surprising way but with testimony at its heart?

The two-part series Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army not only brought to light the unheard testimony of those who survived the religious organisation but took us inside the process of post-cult therapy. The producers’ care and consideration for the contributors is evident throughout and is a great example of how trust built over time can create fresh momentum and impact from a well-known story: the series has gone on to be part of discussions in Parliament about legislation on Spiritual and Ritual Abuse, a testament to the legacy this kind of storytelling can have.

Secrets of the Conclave brought rare access to one of the world’s most famously secretive religious processes - the election of the new Pope - through those who were in the room. As well as revealing some of what goes on behind closed doors, we heard how deep faith and spirituality informs every decision and how seriously this responsibility is taken by those taking part. It was a powerful way of humanising something that can seem ritualistic and distant.

How else can we bring faith and tradition to audiences in a visceral, unique way?

Returning brands

We also have returning brands such as the much-loved Pilgrimage, which takes a factual entertainment approach and is building year on year. Bringing together different faith and belief perspectives to engage in respectful discussion, in stunning landscapes, while exploring the ancient tradition of religious pilgrimage has built a community of viewers loyal to the brand. Dropping all three episodes on iPlayer at once has grown its performance on the platform, with people watching all three back-to-back. Thinking carefully about talent and how they might dig into important questions we all care about is a key part of the series’ success.

What might a new format look like to sit alongside this returning brand? Is there a series of scale for a peak audience that could create bingeable viewing on iPlayer?

Portraying audiences across the UK

A priority for us is stories which represent our audiences in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, made by suppliers who are based in those nations. Titles include Ride or Die and First Communion from Northern Ireland, as well as the 14-part series Prayer and Reflection, which brought a wide range of religious practices from all four nations to audiences who may not know much about them, or who have never seen their own faith represented in that way. We have commissioning editors based in the nations embedded in our team to specifically work with producers on these titles, offering a depth of expertise and insight to ensure authentic representation on-screen that can appeal to wider audiences everywhere.

Unscripted on iPlayer

Read about how we commission unscripted content in an iPlayer first-world, along with advice and further resources to maximise the impact of your programme on the platform.