The Tower of London once again takes center stage in a new historical documentary airing on Channel 5, focusing on the grim legacy of executions within its walls. Presenters historian Tracy Borman and curator Kate Clements explore the fate of those deemed traitors and condemned to death, including prominent figures such as Anne Boleyn.

The documentary offers insight into the notorious beheadings carried out at the Tower, highlighting the spectacle that surrounded these events. Anne Boleyn’s execution, for example, was reportedly witnessed by over 1,000 onlookers, underscoring the public and political significance of such punishments during Tudor England.

In addition to revisiting the Tower’s dark past, the program also addresses more contemporary changes within the historic site’s custodianship. Two longtime Yeoman Warders—commonly known as Beefeaters—are set to retire, prompting the search for new appointees. The Yeoman Warders serve as ceremonial guardians of the Tower and are integral to both its history and present-day visitor experience.

Together, the documentary blends historical narrative with current developments at the Tower, revealing how tradition and history continue to shape one of Britain’s most iconic landmarks.