HORRIBLE SCIENCE: BBC LAUNCHES HORRIBLE HISTORIES SPIN-OFF

From the makers of the multi-award-winning comedy sketch show Horrible Histories comes a hilarious, homegrown, exciting all-new addition to the ‘Horrible’ programme brand: Horrible Science, a brand-new TV show and curriculum-linked education resources children can enjoy on CBBC, BBC iPlayer and BBC Bitesize.

Horrible Science, made by Lion Television, will be packed full of the much-loved sketches, bringing people together to enjoy fun facts, silly songs and jokes which are synonymous with the hit series Horrible Histories. It will delve into the incredible science of the past, the present, and the future as we explore our planet and the universe beyond, to bring Horrible Science to life.

In a first for BBC Children’s and Education, Horrible Science will extend beyond a new TV show with episodes linked directly to the National Curriculum. Five of the episodes will be themed around key primary science topics: materials and states, forces and motion, light, sound and electricity, earth and space and working scientifically. BBC Bitesize Primary will feature 25 curriculum-linked sketches of these themes and songs taken from episodes.

These sketches will support BBC Bitesize’s resources across the KS2 curriculum and form part of the Bitesize Primary guides, which include text, illustrations, photos, infographics, interactive games, quizzes and activities to be used in the classroom and at home.

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education, says: “We know children and adults love learning about the past with Horrible Histories and we want to bring that magic formula of comedic excellence and educational value to Horrible Science...

"And for the first time we’re creating education resources for teachers and students to use in classrooms together with a brilliantly entertaining show to enjoy at home – highlighting our commitment to entertaining and educating young audiences beyond what we’ve ever done before.”

Created with the unique ‘Horrible’ DNA of comedy combined with awesome and mind-bending scientific facts, science learning and homework is about to become a whole lot more fun. From deadly dinosaurs to ferocious forces, and spectacular space to gnarly nanotech, this new brand aims to inspire younger audiences to laugh and learn through watching and using the educational resources.

Along the way, we’ll meet Sir Isaac Newton on a rollercoaster explaining forces, the Moon complaining that nobody has been to visit him in a while and a T. rex going to the doctors!

Horrible Science will be made by Lion Television, part of All3Media, the team behind the beloved, multi award-winning Horrible Histories TV show, which has just celebrated its 15th anniversary. The new series is inspired by the bestselling and award-winning Horrible Science book series written by Nick Arnold, illustrated by Tony De Saulles, and published by Scholastic, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Production of Horrible Science has begun, and the brand will launch in 2025.