5 Confirms Return of Hit History Strand Rich Lives, Poor Lives with Rob Rinder and Ruth Goodman

London, Monday 20th October 2025: After a successful first run, 5 today announce the recommission of talent-led history strand, Rich Lives, Poor Lives, with 4x90’ specials ordered from Lion Television and WPP Media Motion Entertainment, which will once again feature the dynamic pairing of BAFTA-winning broadcaster, barrister and author Rob Rinder and social Historian Ruth Goodman.   

In series two, Ruth and Rob will turn back the clock to visit four key periods of British history: Roman, Tudor, Georgian, and Victorian. The duo will explore how the rich and poor navigated life during these four very different times, discovering the joys, hardships, and unexpected surprises that defined each era. From the streets of Roman towns to Tudor courts, Georgian city squares to Victorian workshops, life has always been experienced differently depending on how much money you have. Through meticulous research and authentic historic locations, in each episode they’ll follow real-life characters from these periods, immersing themselves in the experiences of both the privileged and the less privileged, to uncover the inventive ways people adapted to their circumstances.   

The return of this eye-opening series was commissioned for 5 by Lucy Willis, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, 5, with Sarah Sarkhel to executive produce for Lion Television, an All3Media company, and Melanie Darlaston for WPP Media Motion Entertainment. Series Producer is Lauren Bennie. With global distribution by All3Media International.   

On returning for series two, Rob Rinder says: “I’m delighted Rich Lives, Poor Lives is returning. The first series proved what I’ve always believed; that history is at its most alive when it’s about people not just palaces and proclamations. Working with Ruth Goodman has been a joy; together we uncover the textures of everyday life; how it felt to live through the moments that shaped us, whether from the comfort of a drawing room or the chaos of the street. This new series goes even further into those human stories, reminding us that every age has its divides, and every generation its survivors.”   

Ruth Goodman continues: “Filming series one of Rich Lives, Poor Lives was both fascinating and the most enormous fun. Exploring people’s lives as they tried to find their own way through some of history’s greatest upheavals has been enthralling and often deeply moving. I am awaiting this next series with bated breath, not least because I get to share the experience with the marvellous Rob Rinder.”   

On recommissioning the series, Lucy Willis, Commissioning Editor, Unscripted, 5, comments: “After the success of the first series earlier this year, Rob and Ruth are back with four fascinating periods of history. With their balance of intelligence and light touch they’re the perfect guides for the 5 viewers and I’m delighted to be teaming up with them and Lion again.”   

Sarah Sarkhel, Executive Producer, Lion TV, adds: “We are delighted that Rich Lives, Poor Lives is coming back to screens. The series offers a fresh and accessible perspective on the past and we are so glad that audiences are able to enjoy the return of Rob Rinder and Ruth Goodman—whose on-screen dynamic continues to entertain and educate in equal measure.”   

Rich Lives, Poor Lives series two is set to air on 5 in 2026.   

ENDS   

For press inquiries please contact: Kate Killgour | kate.killgour@paramount.com   

Notes to Editors    

About 5: 5 is the home of award-winning content from the UK’s third largest commercial PSB, a culmination of the creative transformation of Channel 5 over more than a decade. 5 is part of the Paramount Skydance Corporation.   

Through a mix of live TV channels and bingeable boxsets, the free-to-air service allows UK audiences to watch or stream the breadth of programming from the 5-branded portfolio, the dedicated preschool brand Milkshake!, and a wide selection from the wider Paramount family of brands, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV Entertainment Studios, Paramount+ and more.   

In keeping with its PSB remit, 5 tells the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the UK, featuring well-known faces and fresh new talent. Its programme roster spans original UK drama, premium factual, true crime, science, news & current affairs and kids’ content, which continue to attract critical acclaim.   

Recent wins include ‘Channel of the Year’ at the 2025 Edinburgh TV Awards, BAFTA Television and RTS Awards for the documentary White Nanny, Black Child in 2024, along with a BAFTA nomination for Endurance Race to the Pole. Factual hit The Yorkshire Vet and the broadcaster’s series on air fryers also won RTS Yorkshire awards, while Michael Palin received the Radio Times Special Judges Award for his Channel 5 documentaries.   

About Lion Television: Lion is one of the UK’s leading producers of factual television and content. With bases in London, New York and Glasgow and particular experience in Asia, Lion have been making multi- Emmy, BAFTA, RTS award-winning shows for the last 25 years. At Lion, we produce for the world’s biggest broadcasters and content providers including Netflix, BBC, Microsoft, National Geographic, Channel 4, PBS, Sky and Smithsonian.   

Children’s TV series made by Lion include Horrible Histories, Style It Out! with Emma Willis, a sustainable fashion competition (CBBC), BAFTA-award winning Play Your Pets Right (SKY Kids) and Officially Amazing (CBBC) made with Guinness World Records. Recent series include Mysteries of the Terracotta Warriors (Netflix), Pompeii: The New Dig (BBC2), Meet The Roman Emperor with Mary Beard (BBC2), Sexy Beasts (Netflix), Arctic From Above (Sky/NBCU), Wild Caribbean (BBC2), 22 Kids and Counting (Five) Homes Under the Hammer (BBC), Alan Cumming’s Paradise Homes (Discovery) and Inside the Tower of London (C5).  

Lion has a stellar track-record in documentaries including Secrets of The Saqqara Tomb (one of the Top 5 documentaries in Netflix history), Stolen (BBC’s highly commended Art heist series) and Pompeii: The New Dig (a ratings and critical hit for BBC Two), as well as the recent drama documentary co-production with Tailfeather for Netflix, Alexander: The Making of A God. Lion Television is part of All3Media.   

About WPP Media: Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces and distributes premium television, digital content and award-winning programming around the globe in partnership with the world’s leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms. Through innovative commercial and creative partnerships Motion Entertainment works alongside WPP Media agencies to produce original brand-funded content and unique entertainment partnerships that create value and help clients play a positive and active role in culture. The company has co-produced over 2,300 series, equating to over 42,000 hours of television across all programming genres. Motion Entertainment currently operates in 35+ countries worldwide with headquarters in London and Los Angeles.