British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Gemma Whelan, Ryan Sampson, Tom Stourton
Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

  • TV sketch show
  • CBBC / BBC One
  • 2009 - 2024
  • 139 episodes (10 series)

Hit sketch show based on surprising facts from world history, inspired by the hit children's book series. Stars Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas and more.

  • Due to return for Series 11
  • Series 4, Episode 7 repeated tomorrow at 9:20am on CBBC
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 526

F
X
R
W
E

All series

Horrible Histories. Mathew Baynton. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Series 1 (2009)

Liberally splattered with guts, blood and poo, the first series of Horrible Histories romped through all the ages in a collection of sketches, cartoons and quizzes in 2009.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Martha Howe-Douglas, Ben Willbond, Mathew Baynton. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Series 2 (2010)

Victorian Dragon's Den, Historical Wife Swap and Ready Steady Feast are among the spoof shows in the second series. The comedy songs were back by popular demand too and included the toe-tapping number Spartan School Musical and a Charles II song (with a nod to Eminem). Those making cameo performances included David Baddiel and Alexei Sayle.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas, Laurence Rickard. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Series 3 (2011)

The third series covered every era from the Stone Age to the First World War, with new additions including terrible tales from the Angry Aztecs, the Fabulous French and the Nasty Knights. The series also featured a devilishly difficult ditty which features every Monarch from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth II; plus an Adam Ant style homage to Dick Turpin, and songs about suffragettes and bad emperors.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton, Ben Willbond. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Big Prom Party (2011)

As part of the BBC Proms season, the multi-award winning team joined forces with the Aurora Orchestra to create The Horrible Histories Big Prom Party - a romp through the story of classical music.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Ben Willbond, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Series 4 (2012)

Find out how historical figures such as Dick Whittington and Robert the Bruce get on pitching movies about their life story, and which Historical Apprentice teams will find out they're fired. The stars of The League of Gentlemen guest star too!

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Alice Lowe, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Ben Willbond. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Horrible Christmas (2010)

Christmas is a time for charity, hope and goodwill to all men - but for Horrible Histories it's a time of farting jesters, finding bacon in your Christmas card, and having your dinner confiscated by Oliver Cromwell!

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond, Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Simon Farnaby. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Series 5 (2013)

The fifth series of Horrible Histories was broadcast from late Spring to early Summer 2013. At the time it was thought the show was going to stop there, so it ended with an epic final song.

Horrible Histories. Laurence Rickard. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

2014 Specials

Special themed episodes of the show, marking Valentine's Day and the 100th anniversary of World War One.

Horrible Histories. Queen Victoria (Sarah Hadland). Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

Series 6 (2015)

The series returned with a revamped cast, with each of the episodes themed around a particular famous person from history.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Frances (Miles Jupp), William Shakespeare (Tom Stourton), Jessica Ransom. Copyright: Lion Television / Citrus Television

2016 Specials

A one-off episode to celebrate Shakespeare, another as part of the BBC's #Lovetoread campaign, and one marking the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London.

Horrible Histories. Image shows from L to R: Jalaal Hartley, Jessica Ransom, Lolly Adefope, Ryan Sampson

Series 7 (2017 - 2018)

The show is back for a brand new series. Henry VIII, Florence Nightingale and Louis XIV are amongst those featured.

Series 8 (2019 - 2021)

Series 8 launches with a special episode to mark the bicentenary of Queen Victoria's birth, and also includes a Moon landings 50th anniversary space special edition.

Series 9 (2021 - 2022)

More historical comedy. A number of scenes are animated in this series, as filming was disrupted by coronavirus.

Series 11 (2024) New

The CBBC Twitter account confirmed in October 2022 that an 11th series had been commissioned, before Series 10 had finished filming.

List all episodes

Share this page

Subscribe to our newsletters