Human

Human (2025- )

RunningDocumentary showHistory

Human tells the story of how humanity went from being just one of many hominin species to the dominant form of life on earth.

Around 250,000 years ago, Homo sapiens appeared in Africa – one of at least seven hominin species alive at the time. Today, we are the most dominant animal on Earth, and the only remaining human species left on the planet.

It's an extraordinary story. But for 98% of it, we have no written record of what happened.

Now, following breakthroughs in DNA technology and remarkable new fossil evidence, we are able to tell this story in startling detail.

Presented by paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, this series uses a combination of archaeology, travelogue and reconstruction to tell the story of how we became ‘us': modern humans. Ella will follow in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors – visiting internationally important archaeological sites to meet experts who can help her unlock the secrets of our deep historical past.

Network

Last Episode

A Great Gamble
Season 1Episode 558 min

A Great Gamble

Around 12,000 years ago, as the Ice Age finally thaws, humanity makes a dramatic shift - abandoning nomadic life for permanent settlements.

In Turkey, Ella Al-Shamahi visits the world's oldest temple, Gobekli Tepe, and one of the largest early towns, Catalhoyuk - a prototype in urban living, with no streets and honeycombs of dwellings accessed through the roofs. But living in densely populated towns, with livestock alongside them and dead ancestors buried beneath their houses, brought new challenges: disease and evidence of unrest and brutal violence.

In Egypt, Ella finds out how cities began to thrive rather than collapse. And in a turquoise mine in the Sinai desert, she discovers how migrant workers were responsible for creating the first alphabet.

Jul 14, 2025

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E05A Great GambleJul 14, 2025
S01E04Discovering the AmericasJul 14, 2025
S01E03Last Humans StandingJul 14, 2025
S01E02Into the UnknownJul 14, 2025
S01E01The First of UsJul 14, 2025
View all episodesView all seasons

Cast

Ella Al-Shamahi

Ella Al-Shamahi

plays herself
View all cast

Characters

Presenter

Presenter

played by Ella Al-Shamahi
View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Leanne
Running

Leanne

Leanne's life takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you're a grandmother and in menopause isn't exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and jello salad.

GenreComedy
Buried in the Backyard
Running

Buried in the Backyard

Buried in the Backyard examines true-crime stories of victims found buried in the most unsuspecting of places. While most people enjoy their backyard as a safe haven, others are not so lucky when they discover the horrors lurking beneath well-trimmed hedges and manicured fences. Uncovering the remains is only the beginning, however, as each hour-long episode follows a unique police investigation to identify the body, determine a cause of death and find the person responsible. Captivating recreations, along with first-hand accounts from those closest to the victims and law enforcement agents involved in the case, bring each shocking tale to life. As investigators dig into the "how" and "why" surrounding each crime, viewers are taken on an unpredictable journey and reminded that this could happen to anyone - in any home, in any neighborhood.

GenreCrime
The Diplomat
Running

The Diplomat

In the midst of an international crisis, a career diplomat lands in a high-profile job she's unsuited for, with tectonic implications for her marriage and her political future.

GenreDrama, Thriller
Good Omens
Running

Good Omens

According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.

So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon--both of whom have lived among Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle--are not actually looking forward to the coming war.

And someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist...

GenreComedy, Action, Fantasy
Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches
Running

Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches

Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches centers on an intuitive young neurosurgeon who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches. As she grapples with her newfound powers, she must contend with a sinister presence that has haunted her family for generations.

GenreDrama, Fantasy, Supernatural
* This is an affiliate link. If you click and purchase, we will receive a commission from the provider. This will not incur any additional costs for you and you will support our project. We thank you for your support!