Portillo's Empire Journey
Michael Portillo tells the story of how a small island on the edge of Europe built the biggest empire the world has ever seen.
- 2020-2020
- 1 season
- Documentary
Michael Portillo tells the story of how a small island on the edge of Europe built the biggest empire the world has ever seen.
Season 1 Episode Guide
4 Episodes 2020
Episode 1
India
45 mins
Michael travels to India to uncover how the British East India Company - the world's first multinational corporation - raised a private army to create an empire.
Episode 2
Jamaica
45 mins
Michael visits Jamaica, the Caribbean capital of the Empire, to reveal how pirates, slaves and sugar allowed Britain to amass the wealth to conquer the world.
Episode 3
South Africa
45 mins
In South Africa, Michael explores how the lure of riches led Britain into barbaric wars and dividing the country along racial lines, with devastating consequences.
Episode 4
The US and Canada
45 mins
Michael travels to North America to explore how British rule led to armed rebellion in the USA, and a loyalty in Canada that lasted until the very end of Empire.