BBC Studios and ITV have announced the BritBox May 2023 titles, which include everything from new BritBox Originals to classic British fare. BritBox is a digital video subscription service offering the largest collection of British TV in the U.S. and Canada.
The BritBox May 2023 schedule includes live-streamed Coronation special program King Charles III: The Coronation, produced by ITN, during which viewers will be given a prime view of events.
As part of the occasion, BritBox will also make available a number of Royal-focused special programming, including the premiere of Arthur: A Life with the Royal Family, a documentary centered on British newspaper The Sun‘s former Royal photographer, Arthur Edwards, as well as, a series of five exclusive short documentaries exploring the details of the coronation in Countdown to the Crown: The Who’s Who and What’s What of the Coronation.
The BritBox May 2023 slate also features celebrated documentary The Ghost of Richard Harris alongside a selection of films starring Richard Harris, including Camelot. The doc portrays Richard Harris, a fascinating man as seen through the eyes of his three sons, BAFTA Award-winning actor Jared Harris, actor Jamie Harris and director Damian Harris.
The same day, Jim Sheridan’s documentary exploring the life and times of Peter O’Toole, Peter O’Toole – Along the Sky Road to Aqaba, makes its World Premiere on BritBox. Cinema fans will be excited to see a collection of O’Toole’s works, including Goodbye Mr. Chips and The Ruling Class, joining the service.
May brings the return of two popular BritBox Originals: The Tower and The Cleaner. The Tower 2: Death Message makes its World Premiere bringing its trademark thrills penned by Patrick Harbinson (Homeland, 24). For a laugh, Greg Davies leads Season 2 of The Cleaner. He’s joined by a killer cast of guest stars, including Harriet Walter (Succession), Zoe Wanamaker (Harry Potter) and Asim Chaudhry (The Sandman).
BritBox is available for $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year — after an introductory free trial period — on Roku, Amazon Fire TV stick, Apple TV 4th Gen, Samsung, LG and all iOS and Android devices, AirPlay, Chromecast, and online at BritBox.com.
BritBox is also available on Amazon Channels for Prime members and on Apple TV Channels on supported devices.
Created by two British content powerhouses — BBC Studios, the subsidiary arm of the BBC, and ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster — the service features iconic favorites, exclusive premieres, and current series and soaps – most available within 24 hours after their UK premiere.
BritBox also offers expert curation and playlists that enable fans to easily find programs they know and discover new favorites via the web, mobile, tablet and connected TVs.
BRITBOX MAY 2023 SCHEDULE
May 1, 2023 – May 5, 2023: Countdown to the Crown: The Who’s Who and What’s What of the Coronation | BritBox Original, North American Premiere | 5 x 10’
Five exclusive mini-documentaries exploring details of the upcoming coronation, including: “5 Weird and Wonderful Objects of the Coronation,” explaining the origins and purposes of rarely seen royal objects; “How Much Is the King’s Crown Really Worth?” a rundown of the riches of the crown jewels; and “What is the future of the British monarchy?” a look into the coming generations of the British Crown.
There’s also “What Not To Wear To the King’s Coronation, ”a historical style guide to the nation’s biggest event; and “Who is Invited to the Coronation (and Who isn’t),” an inside look at the guest list of the Coronation of King Charles III.
May 1, 2023: Arthur: A Life With The Royal Family | North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 x 80’
A documentary following the career of photographer Arthur Edwards, The Sun’s (UK) Royal Photographer for over 45 years; the longest serving of any newspaper. With commensurate skill and unprecedented access, he has captured the candid moments when protocol is put aside, revealing the true personalities behind the Crown.
May 6, 2023: King Charles III: The Coronation | North American Premiere | 3 x 120
Coverage will include major British news organization, ITN’s, live broadcast of the occasion (on BritBox’s owned & operated platform only), hosted by Tom Bradby and Julie Etchingham. Afterwards viewers will be able to watch the program on demand.
In addition to the rolling coverage, there will also be a special hour-long highlights show that will be available after the ceremony concludes.
May 9, 2023: The Ghost of Richard Harris | BritBox Original, North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 x 107’
A candid and revealing insight into the private life and public career of Richard Harris (This Sporting Life). One of the most remarkable actors of his generation, this feature documentary explores Harris’s complex and, at times, contradictory character.
Each of his three sons – Jared, Jamie and Damian – brings their own perspective to bear as they summon the ghost of their late father to the screen.
May 9, 2023: Peter O’Toole – Along the Sky Road to Aqaba | BritBox Original, World Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 1 x 90’
Documentary about legendary actor Peter O’Toole (Lawrence of Arabia) who brought a touch of danger to his art and a stroke of madness to his life yet inspired a generation of movie makers, directed by Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot).
May 9, 2023: Camelot | New to BritBox | 1 x 180’
Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave star in this classic adaptation of an old Arthurian legend. After the arranged marriage of Arthur (Richard Harris, This Sporting Life) and Guinevere (Vanessa Redgrave, Howard’s End), the king gathers the noble knights of the realm to his Round Table. The dashing and stalwart Lancelot (Franco Nero, Django) joins, but soon finds himself enraptured by the lovely Guinevere.
When Arthur’s illegitimate son, Mordred (David Hemmings, Gladiator), reappears in the kingdom and outs the secret lovers, Arthur finds himself trapped by his own rules into taking action against his wife and closest friend.
May 9, 2023: Foxtrot | New to BritBox | 1 x 90’
Peter O’Toole (Lawrence of Arabia) and Charlotte Rampling (Broadchurch) star in a sensual thriller about a Romanian aristocrat who retreats to a desert isle with his wife and servants on the eve of World War II. After friends turn up uninvited and decimate supplies on the island, they must battle against the odds to restore their idyllic island haven.
May 9, 2023: Goodbye, Mr. Chips | New to BritBox | 1 x 152’
Stuffy young Latin instructor Arthur Chipping (Peter O’Toole, Lawrence of Arabia) is widely disliked by his young charges at a small public school in Great Britain in the 1920s, until he finds his life turned around by charming music hall singer and comedienne Katherine Bridges (Petula Clark, Finian’s Rainbow).
Though her lower-class past impedes Chipping’s longed-for rise to headmaster, the students become devoted to her good-hearted warmth, which also helps transform the once-despised “Chips” into a beloved school figure.
May 9, 2023: The Cassandra Crossing | New to BritBox| 1 x 129’
Terrorists have planted a deadly virus on a transcontinental train and the passengers can’t get off. On board are the glamorous Jennifer Chamberlain (Sophia Loren, Two Women) and her ex-husband, Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain (Richard Harris, This Sporting Life), as well as Nicole Dressler (Ava Gardner, The Night of the Iguana) and her young lover, Robby (Martin Sheen, The Departed).
One solution proposed is to quarantine them by rerouting the train over the Cassandra Crossing — an unstable bridge. Dr. Chamberlain wants to save them, but has to battle the terrorists first.
May 9, 2023: The Ruling Class | New to BritBox | 1 x 154’
When the wealthy Earl of Gurney (Harry Andrews, The Hill) dies in an accident, his eccentric son, Jack (Peter O’Toole, Lawrence of Arabia), inherits the Gurney estate. Jack is not the average nobleman; he sings and dances across the estate and thinks he is Jesus reincarnated.
Believing that Jack is mentally unfit to own the estate, the Gurney family plots to steal Jack’s inheritance. As their outrageous schemes fail, the family strives to cure Jack of his bizarre behavior, with disastrous results.
May 9, 2023: The Stunt Man | New to BritBox | 1 x 131’
On the run from the police, Cameron (Steve Railsback, Lifeforce) crashes the set of a Hollywood war movie. When he inadvertently causes a stunt man’s death, the film’s manipulative director, Eli Cross (Peter O’Toole, Lawrence of Arabia), decides to shelter Cameron from the cops if he steps in as the daredevil’s replacement.
Though the arrangement seems like a good deal, it soon becomes a perilous position, with the situation only complicated when Cameron falls for the movie’s lead actress, Nina Franklin (Barbara Hershey, Hannah and Her Sisters).
May 11, 2023: Rough Diamond S2 | New to BritBox | 1 x 120’
David Jason (Only Fools and Horses) stars as Diamond Geezer Des, a long-serving prison inmate who uses his cheeky charm to carry out grand thefts under a number of different guises. Trusted by inmates and prison guards alike, Des is a simple, stammering soul who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
He comes across as a frail old man who is honest and open. This gains the respect of most of the inmates and prison guards alike. Little do they know, Des has a spring in his step and twinkle in his eye that’s worth millions.
He’s a master of disguise and being in prison is all part of his ingenious plan – Des needs the perfect alibi for the perfect crime – which is to steal valuable diamonds from fellow inmate and notorious bully Benny (Gary Whelan The Bill). He takes petty theft criminal Phil (Stephen Wight, I May Destroy You) under his wing to hatch the devious and dangerous plan.
May 16, 2023: The Tower 2: Death Message | BritBox Original, World Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 4 x 60’
The events of Portland Tower are far from forgotten, but DS Sarah Collins (Gemma Whelan, Game of Thrones) and PC Lizzie Adama (Tahirah Sharif, The Haunting of Bly Manor) must work together to catch a murderer and recover a missing child. DI Kieran Shaw (Emmett J. Scanlan, Peaky Blinders) wants to recruit DS Steve Bradshaw (Jimmy Akingbola, Bel-Air) for a specialist task force, targeting a major organized crime figure, but he must convince Steve he can be trusted.
In her new job at Homicide Command, Sarah is given a seemingly impossible job: investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl, who went missing 25 years ago.
May 31, 2023: The Cleaner S2 | BritBox Original, North American Premiere, BritBox Exclusive | 7 x 30’
BAFTA-winner Greg Davies (Taskmaster) returns in this truly arresting comedy. Wicky is a crime scene cleaner. When the detectives are done he moves in, armed with his bleach and scrubbing brushes. In each episode, Wicky encounters many big personalities – all in the wrong place at the wrong time.
And as Wicky’s luck would have it, there’s also a pub in desperate need of cleaning up. Written by and starring Greg Davies in collaboration with a series of talented co-writers including Paul Allen, Meg Salter, Barry Castagnola, Ronan Blaney and Mike Wozniak.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.