The BBC's series "A House Through Time" has garnered a five-star review, with critics praising its unique method of exploring the past. The show, currently in its sixth series, focuses on a single five-storey house in Calton Hill, Edinburgh, to unravel the lives of its former inhabitants.
Natural history was once considered the BBC's exclusive domain, but the rise of streaming services with substantial budgets has led to formidable competition. However, "A House Through Time" demonstrates the BBC's continued mastery in human history programming. The series employs an investigative style, similar to shows like "Fake Or Fortune?" and "Who Do You Think You Are?", which prioritizes detailed archival research over rote historical dates.
Presenter David Olusoga guides viewers through the house, uncovering clues that bring its past residents to life. In the first episode, the presence of two front doors suggests a complex living arrangement, while a circular hole in the wooden shutters sparks speculation about a former seafaring occupant keeping watch over Leith docks.
While Olusoga's deliberate speaking pace is noted as potentially wearisome by some, it is also recognized as effective for conveying a large amount of information without rushing. The series has already introduced viewers to notable figures who lived in the house, including William Fitzsimmons, a clergyman who faced charges for aiding French prisoners of war, and Sir John Steell, a sculptor responsible for well-known Edinburgh statues, whose father experienced bankruptcy.
Future episodes are expected to delve into more intriguing residents, including those associated with the house when it reportedly served as an "upmarket brothel," potentially linking back to the mystery of the shuttered window.
The review also offered a brief, unrelated observation on television presenter Steph McGovern's attire on another BBC2 show, "The Big Deal."