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Radio highlights

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4 is marking the Darwin anniversaries with a range of features and programmes delving into the world before On The Origin Of Species was published, as well as the legacy it left behind.

Melvyn Bragg launched the radio season at the beginning of January with Darwin: In Our Time, a major four-part documentary series about the life and work of Charles Darwin. Melvyn looked back over Charles Darwin's life and asked why Darwin's writing remains such a profound influence on our understanding of the natural world (already aired).

In Dear Darwin, five eminent contemporary thinkers wrote a letter to Charles Darwin to provide us with an intimate understanding of how some modern-day scientists view Darwin's continuing legacy (already aired).

Hunting The Beagle: the most important ship in the history of science, HMS Beagle, has been missing for over a century. But one man believes he's found her at last. At the beginning of Charles Darwin's bicentenary year, Radio 4 followed maritime historian Robert Prescott as he tracked down the Beagle's last resting place (already aired).

Still to come on Radio 4

Darwin: My Ancestor is a four-part series in which poet, writer and great-great-grand-daughter of Charles Darwin, Ruth Padel, will explore the ideas and emotions which shaped Darwin.

The series investigates how a sense of child-like excitement stayed with him throughout his life and his relationships with his wife, children, servants and local villagers.

Ruth will also examine how Darwin's life and religious views were shaped by the death of his mother and daughter, Annie, and consider his love of literature which in turn helped develop his own style of writing.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 presents a series of programmes which explore the roots of Darwin's ideas and their subsequent influence across the intellectual spectrum in science, arts and philosophy.

Two Sunday Features include The Origins Of The Origins, in which historian Andrew Cunningham investigates how Darwin's thinking was a product of the scientific ideas of his time. What impact, if any, did European thought have on Darwin as he struggled to articulate his own particular theory of evolution? Or was this a case of simultaneous, parallel investigation?

And, in Darwin's Conundrum, Rev Angela Tilby looks at Darwin's complex view of religion through a unique treasure trove – his letters. Darwin corresponded with more than 2,000 people during his lifetime and it is only in these letters to family, friends, scientists and clergy that it is possible to glean a glimpse of the way he wrestled with his belief in God.

The Essay: Darwin's Children features five essays from a wide range of different contemporary professions, from psychologists to economists, who explore the unexpected – and often still growing – impact that Darwin and evolutionary theory has had on their discipline.

Words And Music showcases a sequence of words and music inspired by the theme of Darwin.

Radio 3's flagship arts and ideas programme Night Waves looks at three titans of 19th century thought: Marx, Freud and Darwin. In 1950 there would have been no doubt which two were shaping the world to the greatest degree: Marx and Freud. Sixty years later the tables have turned and Darwin is the one with real purchase on our age. Or is he? Night Waves hosts a special programme to relive a century of intellectual competition.

TV highlights

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One kicks off the season on television with Charles Darwin And The Tree Of Life (1 x 60 minutes) in which David Attenborough explores the origin of Darwin's great idea and makes a powerful case for the importance of the science of evolution. (A ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Natural History Unit (NHU) and Open University (OU) co-production).

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Four

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Four follows with two specially commissioned one-off documentaries: What Darwin Didn't Know and Darwin's Struggle: The Evolution Of The Origin Of Species.

What Darwin Didn't Know (1 x 90 minutes) is a new film, presented by Armand Leroi, exploring a new field of genetics, "evo devo" – the study of evolution through developmental biology which is allowing us to solve some of Darwin's unanswered questions.

Darwin's Struggle: The Evolution Of The Origin Of Species (1 x 60 minutes) will use newly released documents from Cambridge University to chart Darwin's thoughts during the long period before he made his theory known to the public.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two

Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea (3 x 60 minutes) is a major new series for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two.

Marr will explore the radical impact of Darwin's theory not only in science, but also society, political movements (capitalist, Marxist and fascist) and religion. It will also show how that impact continues today, underpinning much of our modern understanding of human life. (A ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and OU co-production, which will also be broadcast in high definition on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HD).

Scientist and farmer Jimmy Doherty recreates many of Darwin's ground-breaking experiments at Down House, the Darwin family home in Kent, in Jimmy Doherty In Darwin's Garden (3 x 60 minutes) for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two (a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and OU co-production).

Did Darwin Kill God? (1 x 60 minutes) on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two explores whether the theory of evolution undermines belief in God.

In the programme, Conor Cunningham, philosopher and theologian at Nottingham University, will argue that it is possible both to accept Darwin's theory of evolution and believe in God.

And finally...

Viewers can look forward to two further major ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TV series later in the year which link to the Darwin season.

On ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One, Life is a spectacular ten-part series from the NHU, which captures some of the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring animal survival behaviours.

Four years in the making, Life is filmed in some of the most extreme environments across the globe (a co-production between the NHU, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Worldwide, Discovery and the OU).

And Dr Alice Roberts (Coast, Don't Die Young) traces the extraordinary beginnings of the human story in a landmark series for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two (5 x 60 minutes) – The Incredible Human Journey.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Multiplatform

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Online will be a key destination for a wealth of content about Darwin, his life and work and complements the Darwin season.

Please visit the website bbc.co.uk/darwin for more information.

OU Darwin Activities

The OU has also developed a new entry-level course, Darwin and Evolution, using some of the television programmes as student study material.

A free Tree of Life poster accompanies the OU co-produced series, and will be available from www.open2.net/darwin.

Please note: Titles may be subject to change.