BBC4 reveals Dickens, Shakespeare Secret

UK broadcaster BBC4 has commissioned a six-part series that uncovers the story behind the creation of some of the greatest works in English Literature.

The Secret Life Of Books (6×30’), produced by BBC in-house in partnership with The Open University, examines original texts, manuscripts, letters and diaries of works ranging from Shakespeare to Charles Dickens.

The show, which does not yet have a transmission date, was commissioned by Cassian Harrison, channel editor for BBC4 and Mark Bell, head of arts commissioning. The exec producer is Richard Bright and the series producer is Allan Campbell.

The presenters of each episode are: TV dramatist Tony Jordan, actor Simon Russell Beale, scientist Professor Alice Roberts, singer and broadcaster Cerys Matthews, journalist and author Bidisha and award-winning writer and Virginia Woolf expert, Dr Alexandra Harris.