BBC viewers are heaping praise on a powerful new documentary series that revisits the enduring tragedy of the RMS Titanic, more than a century after its infamous sinking.
A Fresh Take on a Historic Tragedy
Released on December 30, 2025, the four-part docu-drama, 'Titanic Sinks Tonight', offers a minute-by-minute account of the ship's final 160 minutes. The series pieces together the experiences of the 2,208 passengers and crew on board through vivid dramatisations and first-hand testimony.
The show features performances from actors including Rhys Mannion as First Class passenger Jack Thayer, Vicky Allen as stewardess Violet Jessop, and Matthew Cassidy as Officer Fred Fleet. It is bolstered by expert analysis from presenter JJ Chalmers, historian Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, Admiral Lord West, and novelist Nadifa Mohamed.
Viewers and Critics Captivated
The series has been met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from its audience. On social media platform X, one viewer, Pip, wrote they had 'got goosebumps already', describing the disaster as 'an enduring tragedy we’re all still fascinated by'.
Henry Writes called it a 'real emotional watch', while Sarah Wilde said she was 'absolutely enthralled' by the 'compelling piece of television'. Antony Corrigan praised the series for bringing the dead back to life and ensuring their stories are not forgotten.
Dr Macclevoid commended the show's focus on real experience, noting: 'Great talking heads, touching performances, a sense of realism... No melodrama, no Titanic cliches.' Another viewer, Chris Leigh, said the programme 'powerfully conveys the growing sense of dread that passengers must have felt. Gripping.'
What Sets This Retelling Apart?
Executive producer Kieran Doherty revealed the production, shot in Belfast using virtual production, sought storytellers who were 'curious and ambitious enough to throw themselves into the unknown'.
Showrunner Helen Sage explained the distinctive approach: 'What makes this series distinctive is the ‘real time’ storytelling approach – with each minute of screen time broadly representing a minute on the ship – from striking the iceberg to sinking.'
Titanic Sinks Tonight aired on BBC Two on December 30 and 31 at 9pm. All four episodes are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
