BBC announce Easter 2019 programming

Special programmes include Songs of Praise heading to the Holy Land and a documentary on Easter traditions.

“We are excited to bring viewers a range of programmes to celebrate the Christian calendar’s most important date. Easter is a time of thoughtfulness, introspection and also great joy and we will be reflecting that across our titles.” – Tom McDonald, Head of commissioning, Natural History & Specialist Factual

At the heart of this year’s Easter selection on TV, are two episodes of Songs Of Praise In The Holy Land on BBC One. On Palm Sunday, Aled Jones accompanies a choir of young Christians as they visit the key holy sights for the first time, including the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where they will also sing Easter hymns and songs. On Easter Sunday Aled presents from Christianity’s most sacred city – Jerusalem – where the programme explores the faith stories of Lion King star Shaun Escoffery, and renowned soprano Laura Wright.

Britain’s Easter Story is a new two–part series on Good Friday and Easter Sunday with choir master Gareth Malone and gospel choir conductor Karen Gibson. They travel across the UK to explore the stories behind our Easter traditions, looking at how different celebrations have developed over the years, and how music remains a big part of those celebrations.

On Sunday mornings from March 17th an eight-part series goes to the heart of the fascinating cultural and spiritual narratives found in our countryside. In Walks of Life, each week, Mehreen Baig and JB Gill take viewers on a specially curated walk to explore modern attitudes to religion, belief, and society’s relationship with the spectacular landscapes around us while in Pilgrimage: Road to Rome the Beeb follow eight famous faces, actor Les Dennis, comedian Katy Brand, Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford, actress Lesley Joseph, dancer Brendan Cole, comedian Stephen K Amos, journalist Mehreen Baig and Eurovision Song Contest winner Dana arrive at St Peter’s Square in Rome, where they are granted a private audience with Pope Francis.

Easter Carols At King’s will bring viewers the renowned King’s College choir as they sing some of the best-loved choral music for the season, including Crucifixus (Lotti), Were You There? (arr. Cleobury) and Hallelujah (Handel, from Messiah) lead by Music director, Stephen Cleobury. Mezzo soprano Jennifer Johnston joins the choir to perform the Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascangi). To compliment these highlights, there will be live Easter service from St Mary’s in Warwick and Pope Francis’ Easter Sunday Message and Blessing – Urbi et Orbi – presented by Religion Editor Martin Bashir.

There will also be several programmes across the BBC Radio networks reflecting upon Easter too. These include Pause For Thought, Prayer For The Day and Good Morning Sunday.

“BBC Radio offers listeners traditional and new programming to mark this important festival. We have a whole host of different voices, stories, and music to explore the meaning of Easter.” – Christine Morgan, Head of Radio for Religion and Ethics