The HISTORY Channel Teams with Simon Sebag Montefiore

The HISTORY Channel has partnered with author and historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to develop a project based on his book The World: A Family History.

If greenlit, the series will be produced by Karga Seven Pictures and will look at world history through the lens of family dynasties such as the Borgias, the Tudors, the Romanovs, the Khans and more.

The book tells the story of humanity from prehistory to the present day, beginning with the footsteps of a family walking along a beach 950,000 years ago and journeying through the families that have shaped the world, including the Caesars, Medicis and Incas, Habsburgs and Zulus, Rothschilds, Rockefellers and Krupps, Churchills, Kennedys, Castros, Saudis, Assads and more.

“The HISTORY Channel is partnering with Simon to option his comprehensive book The World: A Family History as a development approach to a potential series,” said Eli Lehrer, executive VP and head of programming at The HISTORY Channel. “In the book, Simon takes a novel approach to history with exploring ruling families and their power and leadership across thousands of years.”

“When I started writing The World: A Family History, I dreamed of making an epic series that would catch its ambition,” Montefiore said. “From the start, The HISTORY Channel loved the idea and embraced my vision with enthusiasm.”

“Simon has reimagined world history in a way that is brilliant, engaging and funny, reminding us that family is everything—and they just might be coming for your crown,” added Kelly McPherson, co-founder of Karga Seven Pictures. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with him and The HISTORY Channel in taking on The World: A Family History.”