Isabella Thornton
Here’s everything you need to know about the BBC Original documentary series Civilisations: Rise and Fall (2025) — from its official premiere date and streaming details to the complete episode guide, cast lineup, and an easy step-by-step guide on how to watch it from outside the UK. This guide is designed to help you start streaming without confusion, whether you’re a history lover, a documentary fan, or simply curious about the rise and decline of the world’s most influential civilisations.
If you have any questions along the way, drop them in the comments — I’ll get back to you quickly so you can begin watching without any hassle.
How can I watch Civilisations: Rise and Fall outside the UK on BBC iPlayer?
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a UK-based server.
- Visit the BBC iPlayer website, then sign in or create a new BBC account. During registration, you’ll be asked for a UK postcode — if you don’t have one, you can use an online UK postcode generator.
- You can watch Civilisations: Rise and Fall outside the UK restriction-free!
Civilisations: Rise and Fall Plot
Civilisations: Rise and Fall explores the extraordinary rise and dramatic collapse of four iconic societies across different continents and eras. The series uses powerful artefacts to uncover the cultural, political, and military foundations that helped these civilisations flourish. It plunges viewers into the final days of Rome, the dynastic complexities of Egypt, the disciplined hierarchy of Samurai-era Japan, and the vibrant yet vulnerable world of the Aztecs. Each episode blends narration with vivid reenactments, creating scenes that feel both educational and immersive. The series reveals how internal weaknesses, external threats, and shifting worldviews ultimately reshaped these great powers. As the episodes progress, it becomes clear that even the strongest empires can crumble under pressure. Through careful storytelling, it shows that the echoes of these fallen civilisations continue to shape the modern world.
When does Civilisations: Rise and Fall premiere?
Civilisations: Rise and Fall premieres on 24 November 2025 on BBC Two, with new episodes released weekly. The season opens with its Rome episode, followed by Egypt, Japan, and the Aztec Empire in the weeks that follow.
Cast
- Sophie Okonedo – Narrator
- Luca Saraceni-Gunner – Honorius
- Leander Vyvey – Alaric
- Roberto Davide – Stilicho
- Jake Meniani – Mark Antony
- Melissanthi Mahut – Cleopatra
- Calin Bleau – Caesar
- David Bedella – Moctezuma
- Andressa Cardoso Fernandes – Malintzin
- Adam Bond – Cortes
- Yuya Sato – Shogun
- Joshua Jo – Saigo
How many episodes does Civilisations: Rise and Fall Season 1 have?
Civilisations: Rise and Fall features four episodes, each dedicated to one major civilisation.
- Episode 1: Rome
This episode opens the series with a tense portrait of Rome at the edge of collapse. The Western Roman Empire faces rebellion, economic strain, and growing instability as its power slips away. Through the perspectives of Honorius, Alaric, and Stilicho, viewers see how political missteps and external pressures pushed one of the world’s greatest civilisations toward its dramatic downfall. - Episode 2: Egypt
A deep dive into ancient Egypt’s golden dynasties and the cultural evolution that shaped its identity. The episode uncovers the rise of powerful rulers, internal conflicts, and the foreign forces that slowly weakened the empire. It paints a vivid picture of how a civilisation that dominated for millennia began to fracture under the weight of shifting alliances and outside influence. - Episode 3: Japan
This chapter transports viewers into the structured and disciplined world of Samurai-era Japan. It highlights the power of the shogunate, the warrior code, and the political tensions that defined the era. The story reveals how the very traditions that built Japan’s strength also created vulnerabilities that contributed to the decline of its feudal system. - Episode 4: Aztecs
The season concludes with the rise and rapid collapse of the Aztec Empire. Viewers witness a civilisation rich in culture, ceremony, and innovation, yet facing growing threats from within and beyond its borders. The episode explores how shifting alliances, cultural transformation, and foreign invasion reshaped the fate of an empire that once seemed unstoppable.
Where to watch Civilisations: Rise and Fall in the UK
As of November 24, 2025, Civilisations: Rise and Fall is officially airing on BBC Two and streaming in full on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom. UK viewers can watch all four episodes on demand through the BBC iPlayer website or mobile app, making it easy to stream the entire season anytime. To start watching, simply create a free BBC account, sign in, and instantly access every episode of the series on your preferred device.
Is there a way to watch Civilisations: Rise and Fall online for free?
You can stream Civilisations: Rise and Fall for free on BBC iPlayer if you have a valid UK TV licence. All you need to do is sign in or create a free BBC iPlayer account to access every episode within the UK. If you’re watching from outside the UK, simply use a reliable VPN and connect to a UK server to bypass geo-restrictions and enjoy smooth, uninterrupted streaming from anywhere in the world.
Civilisations: Rise and Fall Trailer
FAQs
- Who is the narrator of the series?
The series is narrated by Sophie Okonedo, whose voice guides viewers through each civilisation’s journey and eventual decline. - What major civilisations does the series cover?
It covers four major civilisations: Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, Samurai-era Japan, and the Aztec Empire. - Why is the focus on ‘rise and fall’?
The series uses key artefacts and historical turning points to examine how these great societies achieved dominance and then experienced dramatic decline — drawing parallels to modern issues such as inequality, climate stress and shifting power structures.
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