David Olusoga returns with his acclaimed series A House Through Time, now focusing on the lives of residents in two cities—London and Berlin—during the Second World War. This series examines the interconnected fates of individuals living in apartment blocks in both cities, revealing the lasting impact of the war on ordinary lives. In this first episode, Olusoga takes viewers back to the 1920s, where the consequences of the First World War began to shape the events that would lead to an even deadlier conflict.
In Montagu Mansions, Marylebone, former British soldier John Murray-Smith is left broken by his wartime experience, mirroring the national sentiment of resentment toward Germany. In Berlin, Olusoga introduces viewers to Albert Henninger, an artist and air force veteran whose own trauma mirrors that of countless German citizens dealing with the aftermath of their nation’s defeat. Both countries’ struggles contribute to the rise of resentment and political extremism, with the Nazi party gradually gaining influence in Germany.
As the 1930s approach, rising antisemitism and Nazi ideology permeate everyday life, affecting residents in both buildings. In Berlin, Jewish families like the Sallisohns and individuals such as Jewish doctor Herbert Rosenfeld and African immigrant Bonifatius Folli face increasing persecution. The episode paints a vivid picture of a world inching towards the horrors of another war, with lives on both sides becoming more deeply intertwined with the approaching conflict.
A House Through Time is produced by Twenty Twenty Productions for the BBC. David Olusoga serves as an executive producer alongside Ruth Pitt and Simon Young.
Confirmed airdate: Thursday, 17 October 2024 at 9:00 pm on BBC Two.
