News

AMANDA HOLDEN REVEALS THE SAUCY SIDE OF THE LAST 2,500 YEARS ALONGSIDE BEST-SELLING AUTHOR AND HISTORIAN DAN JONES

LONDON, FRIDAY 30TH JUNE 2023: A+E Networks EMEA has commissioned One Tribe TV and Motion Content Group to make a 5x60’ factual entertainment series fronted by Amanda Holden and Dan Jones entitled Sex: A Bonkers History to premiere on Sky HISTORY in September 2023. 

The original UK commission will follow actress, singer, and presenter Amanda Holden and best-selling author and historian Dan Jones as they explore how sexual behaviours through the ages have shaped civilisations in ways we are only now beginning to discover. The series will use archive footage and drama reconstruction, with Amanda Holden and Dan Jones taking the leading roles to shed light on history’s best unknown sex stories. 

Amanda and Dan will explore how attitudes towards sex and sexuality have evolved throughout the ages, from the origination of the first contraceptive in ancient Egypt to swinging in 70’s suburban Britain. Along the way they will discover how the Tudor sexual appetites changed the course of British history forever, and they will delve into Georgian Britain to discover that its prim and proper facade couldn’t be further from the truth. The pair also reveal how the Victorian era was secretly one of the most sexually progressive in the world. Lastly, they discover that sexual attitudes in the 20th century have changed more than in any other period in history and that this rate of change only continues to accelerate.

Along the way, Amanda and Dan will be meeting experts in the history of sex, including sex historian Dr. Kate Lister, author of ‘A Curious History of Sex’, international teacher of Dominance studies Anne O Nomis, author of 'The History & Arts of the Dominatrix' and the late executive chair of Ann Summers, Jacqueline Gold CBE, in her very last television interview. Expect saucy surprises and forget what you thought you knew, as Amanda and Dan throw themselves into immersive history and bring us some unique and intriguing insights in Sex: A Bonkers History. 

Amanda Holden said: "Believe me when I say our generation knows nothing about sex compared to the debauched antics of our ancestors! My goodness, I’ve really had my eyes opened, and had a real laugh, during the filming of this brilliant new series. I have left it to Dan Jones to get his hands dirty whilst I’ve been on the side-lines as a very entertained voyeur. Although perhaps shocking at times, Sex: A Bonkers History is a truly fascinating and intellectual insight into the last 2500 years of our sexual history. This is horrible histories for grown-ups."

Dan Jones added: “Sex is the one thing we can be certain human beings have done throughout the whole of history. It’s a fascinating way to take a romp through the millennia, from the Ancient Egyptians to swingers in the 1970s, and up to the wonders of the digital age we live in today. Amanda is a dream host – she’s a great laugh, who’s always ready with a penetrating question and a fresh take on the past. Meanwhile, I’ve had a blast throwing myself into some pretty weird and wild situations – all in the name of research. It’s the best historical fun I’ve had with (most of) my clothes on.”

The series was commissioned, and executive produced by Dan Korn, VP of Programming at A+E Networks EMEA, with Diana Carter, Commissioning Editor and Head of Talent at A+E Networks EMEA.

Dan Korn said: “We are thrilled to be working with Amanda, Dan, and One Tribe TV on this truly pioneering exploration of our sexual history. It fits perfectly with Sky HISTORY’s mission statement to bring history to life in new and exciting ways.”

Sex: A Bonkers History is a One Tribe TV production; executive producersare Owen Gay and Dale Templar with showrunner Tom Cunningham. Melanie Darlaston will be executive producer for Motion Content Group. The drama elements are written by Jack Carey and directed by Mimi Templar-Gay. 

Owen Gay, Creative Director at One Tribe TV said: “One Tribe TV is excited to be working with Amanda Holden and Dan Jones, two people who have the sensitivity, knowledge, and fun to make this series the history extravaganza it should be as we tackle the universal but often taboo subject of sex through the ages. Following Sex & Sensibility – our single doc for Sky HISTORY – we are thrilled to be working on our first series for the channel. Dan Korn and Di Carter have been amazing partners in developing and shaping the show.”

Melanie Darlaston, executive producer for Motion Content Group added: “It’s a pleasure to be collaborating with One Tribe TV on this frank, but fun and informative look at sex through the ages. Without revealing too much, it’s clear the world was swinging long before the 60s!”

Sex: A Bonkers History will be distributed by Blue Ant Media and will premiere on Sky HISTORY in September 2023. 

The series will air across the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland in October 2023.

Any information or quotes used from this press release must credit: 

Sex: A Bonkers History premieres on Sky HISTORY in September 2023.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

a+enetworks@organic-publicity.co.uk 

Editor’s Notes
The UK premiere will be on Sky HISTORY in 2023. SKY HISTORY is available on Sky 123, Virgin 270 and NOW. For more go to www.SkyHISTORY.co.uk or visit Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. 

The series will also premiere on The HISTORY® Channel in Eastern Europe, Poland, Benelux, Nordics, Middle East and South Africa. 

• Show page: https://www.history.co.uk/shows/sex-a-bonkers-history
• Social: #SexABonkersHistory   
• SKY HISTORY is available on Sky 123, Virgin 270 and streaming service NOW.
• Clips, viewing materials and images to be provided on request when available.
• Interview access available depending on availability.
• Image available for download HERE

About Sky HISTORY

Sky HISTORY is the flagship brand of the A+E Networks® UK portfolio which is made up of true crime channel Crime+Investigation®; Sky HISTORY2® and free-to-air channel BLAZE®. Sky HISTORY is available in the UK on Sky, Virgin and on streaming service NOW. www.SkyHistory.co.uk

About A+E Networks EMEA

At A+E Networks EMEA, we share stories that matter everywhere, anywhere. A leader in factual entertainment, our compelling, award-winning content connects with millions across the UK, Nordics, Benelux, Germany, Italy, Spain, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Our portfolio of premium brands – The HISTORY® Channel, Crime + Investigation®, HISTORY2®, BLAZE®, and COSMO TV® - inspire and excite viewers with hit franchises (Forged in Fire), must-see dramas (Vikings) and original commissions (The Hunt for Baltic Gold and Ross Kemp: Shipwreck Treasure Hunter). Our stories are global and local, linear and digital, and always compelling. With offices in London, Rome, Madrid, Warsaw, Munich, and Johannesburg, we are a truly international company that celebrates difference and diversity.

About One Tribe TV

One Tribe TV is an independent production company based in Bath and Chepstow, led by Managing Director Dale Templar and Creative Director Owen Gay. Recent credits include: Wonders of the Celtic Deep (BBC1 Wales/BBC2), Jonnie’s Blade Camp (Channel 4), Britain’s Biggest Families (ITV) and The Rescue: 54 Hours Under the Ground (BBC1 Wales/BBC2). Sex: A Bonkers History is being made by showrunner Tom Cunningham, who produced One Tribe’s recent Sky HISTORY documentary Sex & Sensibility. One Tribe is the largest supplier of content to The ONE Show (BBC1).

About Motion Content Group   

Motion Content Group funds, develops, produces and distributes both original and third-party premium content to create value and opportunities for its partners and advertisers. Working with the world’s leading talent, producers and distributors, Motion aims to support the editorial, creative and commercial requirements of over 200 networks and platforms. Headquartered in London and Los Angeles, Motion currently operates in 40 countries worldwide and has a broad range of award-winning programming distributed globally. Motion Content Group is part of GroupM, the world’s leading full-service media investment management operation, a WPP company. 

Follow Motion on Twitter: @motion_content, Instagram: @MotionContentGroup and LinkedIn.