PBS Secrets of Underground London
Precedes Masterpiece Mystery June 22
By: PBS - May 13, 2014
Following the success of the previous behind-the-scenes looks at England’s most notable landmarks, SECRETS OF UNDERGROUND LONDON premieres Sunday, June 22, 2014, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET. The special precedes MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! “The Escape Artist” starring David Tennant.
On the surface, London is a buzzing, modern metropolis — but underneath lies a hidden world, all but forgotten by the millions of people above. From ancient caves and preserved Roman remains to mysterious rivers and plague pits, SECRETS OF UNDERGROUND LONDON uncovers 2,000 years of subterranean history.
The special unearths historical locations such as the London Silver Vaults beneath Chancery Lane and Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s bunkers — where he conducted his strategic plan to win the war — directly under Westminster. Also revealed, among others, are the derelict elevators and platforms of Aldwych Tube Station, which not only provided citizens shelter during the WWII Blitz but housed the British Museum’s priceless treasures in secret tunnels.
“As people go through their everyday lives, untold treasures of history and mystery are hiding in plain sight across the city of London,” said Gareth Sacala, director at Pioneer Productions. “In never-before-seen footage, we take viewers to places that demonstrate the resiliency and ingenuity of the British throughout history.”
At 9:00 p.m. ET, David Tennant stars on MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! as a brilliant defense lawyer with a storybook family and a potent nickname, “The Escape Artist,” for his ability to spring the obviously guilty. Then a trial changes his life forever. The gripping legal thriller co-stars Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda) as his rival.
About Pioneer Productions
Pioneer Productions, one of the UK’s most successful independent production companies, has developed an outstanding reputation for producing innovative, high-quality and popular programs for both the UK and US markets. Pioneer has produced more than 700 hours of adventure, science and technology, docu-drama, lifestyle, current affairs and history programming for the US and international markets, with films screened in more than 80 countries. Critically acclaimed Pioneer productions have attracted high viewership as well as prestigious awards, including Emmys, BAFTAs, the Grand Award at the New York Television Festival, a UK Indie Award, Sony Award and Royal Television Society Award, to name a few, and Pioneer is the only independent company to win the coveted Best Science film at the Banff TV festival.