ZDF & Blue Ant Studios Commission New History Doc

ZDF and Blue Ant Studios have commissioned a new history documentary series, A Kingdom in Chaos, about the English Civil War and Charles I, from One Tribe TV.

“A Kingdom in Chaos provides a brilliant insight into a pivotal moment of British history, as well as the development of political thought in Western European society,” said Peter Allenbacher, senior editor at ZDF/ARTE. “In modern times, people cannot imagine what it meant to an ordinary 17th-century citizen to condemn to death—and decapitate—their god-appointed king. Neither could, at this time, Charles I, fellow kings and queens on their thrones high above the scaffold.”

The series is produced and directed by Mimi Templar-Gay. It was commissioned by Allenbacher at ZDF/ARTE and Lilla Hurst at Blue Ant Studios. Blue Ant Rights is handling international distribution.

“This production’s approach will transport viewers right into the heart of the workings of the Stuart dynasty,” continued Allenbacher. “It presents a unique understanding of the mind and motives of James I, Charles I and Charles II and is a compelling story to watch. Audiences will be able to judge for themselves what led Charles I directly to the scaffold: republican policy or his obstinacy to view his situation in a reasonable light?”

A Kingdom in Chaos explores the rise and fall of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell’s bloody conquest of Ireland, the short-lived English Republic and the dramatic return of Charles II. Against this backdrop, it also charts the impact across Europe, from the witch trials of the 1640s to the stirrings of revolution in France a century later.

“This is history at its most visceral—bloody battles, daring escapes, merciless revenge and seismic political upheaval,” said Owen Gay, executive producer and co-founder of One Tribe. “But it’s also a story with urgent modern resonance. As England crowns a new King Charles, A Kingdom in Chaos explores what lessons history still has to teach us about power, leadership and belief.”