Big lives.
Bigger questions.
Legacy is the show that looks at extraordinary men and women from the perspective of now — and doesn't always like what it sees.
Hosted by broadcaster and author Afua Hirsch and Oxford historian Peter Frankopan, Legacy takes the lives of history's most celebrated figures and examines them without the softening that time and reputation often bring.
Each series explores a different life — or a different chapter of a life — in depth. From empire-builders to revolutionaries, from artists to autocrats, Legacy asks not just what these people did, but what it means that we still talk about them.
Your Hosts
Afua Hirsch
Afua Hirsch is a broadcaster, journalist, and author of Brit(ish). Former legal and social affairs correspondent for Channel 4 News, she writes and speaks on race, identity, and what history still owes us.
Read her Substack →Peter Frankopan
Peter Frankopan is Professor of Global History at Oxford University and the bestselling author of The Silk Roads and The Earth Transformed. He brings the long view and the archive to every episode.
Read his Substack →Legacy Plus
Legacy Plus is the premium subscription tier — bonus episodes, extended conversations, and full access to the research archive. Subscribe here.