In this graphic, ground breaking two-part TV series, Professor Alice Roberts investigates the cause of death of two of Britain’s most famous monarchs, King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I.

Alice’s investigations bring together, for the first time, a unique blend of expertise to provide new insight and conclusions that challenge the received wisdom of how and why they died.

At the heart of each investigation is a detailed ‘as real’ autopsy led by Forensic Pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer. Together they search for any clues on the monarch’s body surface, then cut open the corpse to study their internal organs.

Alice takes her findings to leading medical and historical experts for further detailed analysis, exploring the cause and symptoms of any diseases, and how each ailment would have affected the regent, both in life and eventual death.

Using eye witness accounts sourced from the time of their deaths, the final dying days are brought to life in vivid detail with exquisite scripted dramatic scenes, starring Mark Wingett as Charles II and Linda Marlowe as Elizabeth I.

In both episodes, Alice opens a new cold case investigation to examine the life and death of our most celebrated monarchs. The gruesome facts are separated from wild fiction, the diseases and the health issues they lived with are investigated and are embedded in a broader historical context of their lives.

Based on the evidence, Professor Alice Roberts and Dr Brett Lockyer deliver their findings to reveal what they believe really did kill King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I.