DARA Ó BRIAIN TO EXPLORE THE MYSTERIES OF THE PYRAMIDS FOR CHANNEL 5 FROM WILDFLAME PRODUCTIONS

Channel 5 is set to unearth The Mysteries of the Pyramids (w/t) with comedian and presenter Dara Ó Briain at the helm in a brand new, 2 x 60’ series produced by Wildflame Productions. Silverlining Rights is the exclusive worldwide distribution partner.    

Dara Ó Briain will be joined by archaeologist Raksha Dave and Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton to explore the most compelling questions surrounding pyramids – ‘How were they built using massive chunks of stone, so heavy that even today a modern crane would struggle?’ or ‘What were the Egyptian pyramid's true function?’; ‘If, as Egyptologists suggest, they're tombs, why has no-one ever discovered a Pharaoh in any of them?’    

They will also explore the more far-fetched theories surrounding the pyramids: Was one a giant power station? Were they built for, or even by, aliens? And the biggest mystery of all – why did the Ancient Egyptians start building them and then stop?    

Debunking the many myths that encompass them, this definitive series will uncover the fascinating archaeological, historical, and scientific findings which tell the story of the Pyramids – revealing the secrets of these mega structures –- and will share eye-opening facts that will both surprise and captivate the audience.

Dara Ó Briain said: “What a joy to explore these great monuments to human ingenuity and effort; to sort out the amazing facts from the many, frankly, ridiculous fictions that surround them; but mainly to live out all my Indiana Jones fantasies, scrambling in sandy tunnels in search of treasure, just without all the Nazis or the snakes.”   

Denise Seneviratne, Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted UK Originals, Channel 5 commented: “To this day The Pyramids hold so much mystery – I’ve always had a bit of an obsession with them. I think Dara Ó Briain will bring his unique blend of genuine curiosity and wit to this series and I’m delighted to be working with Wildflame to bring it to life.”   

Paul Islwyn Thomas, CEO, Wildflame Productions added: "Wildflame has a huge amount of experience in presenting history in different ways for different audiences. We are incredibly excited to be working with Dara on this project, who brings such a fresh take on the amazing story of the pyramids to Channel 5. And we’re delighted to be growing our relationship with the channel as one of the leading Wales-based factual indies."   

Mysteries of the Pyramids (w/t), is a 2 x 60’ series commissioned by Denise Seneviratne - Commissioning Editor, Non-Scripted UK Originals, Channel 5 and will be produced by Wildflame Productions. Ben Fox serves as Executive Producer, Ewen Thomson is Series Producer and Director and Josh Key is Producer. 

 ENDS

For further enquiries please contact: 

Hannah Allan  | hannah.allan@paramount.com 

Susan Wilks | susan.wilks@paramount.com      

For images please contact the picture desk: picturepublicity@paramount.com

Notes to Editors:

About Channel 5   

Channel 5 is a multi-award-winning service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014.   

Channel 5, its digital brands 5STAR, 5USA, 5SELECT, 5ACTION and on-demand platform My5 offer a diverse range of critically acclaimed, original programmes featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent – from issue-led documentaries, popular factual series and accessible history shows to premium drama and agenda-setting news & current affairs. Channel 5 is the only PSB to air children’s content daily through its much-loved programming strand Milkshake! – home to some of the world’s favourite pre-school characters.   

The free to air broadcaster’s agenda-driving commissions and distinctive British programming lead on societal issues from inequality to homelessness and mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK.   

Channel 5’s portfolio significantly increased its share of the UK viewing audience in 2023 (+5%) - the only UK public service broadcaster to do so, marking five consecutive years of growth.

Recent industry acclaim include: winning 2022’s Best Factual Show at the viewer voted TV Choice Awards for Springtime on the Farm and 2023’s inaugural True Crime Awards for Who Killed Billie Jo? White Nanny Black Child became the first ever documentary to win the Jury Prize at the 2023 Africa International Film Awards whilst All Creatures Great and Small took home the Stress Buster Award at the Radio Times’ Screen Test Awards.   

About Wildflame Productions   

Wildflame Productions creates extraordinary content for audiences throughout the world from its base in Cardiff.  This UK nations and regions factual powerhouse works closely with the best creative talent and a wide range of production partners to produce content for the UK and the international markets.   

Founded in 2015 by Paul Islwyn Thomas, the company has built a strong reputation for producing factual and specialist factual programming for a wide range of broadcasters, including the full range of national BBC channels, Channel 5, S4C, Smithsonian, Discovery and many more. Its programmes also sell around the world.  Wildflame prides itself on its excellence in storytelling, bringing great ideas and ambitious concepts and formats to audiences globally.