Earlier this year, the OU and BBC took viewers behind closed doors to explore the treasures of the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum in Secrets of the Museum. This latest OU/BBC co-production explored just some of the two million wonders currently on display at the V&A – from 18th century portraits to extravagant designer gowns and iconic memorabilia from the likes of David Bowie and The Beatles.

The OU’s Dr Clare Taylor and Dr Leon Wainwright acted as academic consultants on the six-part series, which follows experts and conservators at work as they breathe new life into fragile marvels, uncover hidden stories and battle to keep the past alive.

“If anyone thought that the V&A was nothing but a big repository of crockery and carpets, this series will be a bit of a rude wake up call,” says Dr Leon Wainright. “Kylie’s wardrobe – a stormtrooper from Star Wars – the film prop of Frankenstein’s monster – one of Beyoncé’s rings – the content is wide-ranging.”

Each episode gives viewers exclusive access to areas that are usually not open to the public. You can watch as experts restore tiny tears in the pages of an original Shakespeare First Folio, attempt to move objects around each gallery and even try to reunite a Star Wars film prop with its missing head.

The OU and BBC have been working together to produce educational and inspirational content since the 1970s and now produce up to 35 programmes a year. Speaking about this latest series, Dr Leon Wainwright said:

“The series offers a rare insight into what drives curators, conservators, technicians and archivists; what guides and excites them; what terrifies or perplexes them; what struggles they experience with the materials that they keep and care for, with the built spaces they occupy, with the tools and means at their disposal.”

Go behind the scenes

The OU’s free learning platform, OpenLearn, has extensive content in connection with the series subject areas:

• Watch the V&A’s skilled curators share an exclusive behind the scenes look at life at the museum
• Think you could be a curator? Try your hand at curating priceless artefacts in this interactive quiz
• You can watch the series on BBC IPlayer