Acorn TV, known for its international scripted dramas, has ventured into unscripted television with a new series that combines genealogy and true crime, fronted by actress Jane Seymour. Seymour, beloved for her roles in Live and Let Die and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, will host Relative Secrets, a program exploring family histories and the hidden, sometimes dark, secrets that can lie beneath the surface.
Relative Secrets delves into the complex and fascinating aspects of ancestry that can often be overlooked. By linking true crime with genealogy, the show explores how events of the past can continue to shape and define families today. For anyone passionate about tracing their roots, this series offers a deeper understanding of how historical events—sometimes tragic—can reverberate through generations.
Each episode of Relative Secrets will investigate the mysteries within an ordinary American family’s past, uncovering truths that have long been buried. These stories go beyond simple curiosity; they reveal the emotional and sometimes traumatic impact of unresolved family history. For instance, the show features a 99-year-old World War II veteran grappling with the possibility that his absence during the war might have led to his grandmother’s murder. There’s also the story of a mother who abandoned her children to start a new, secret life—her family left to piece together the fragments of their shared history.
What makes this show particularly intriguing for genealogists is the international connection between American families and their UK heritage. With the rise of genetic genealogy and DNA testing, more people are discovering that their family stories are not confined to one country or continent, but are part of a broader, global narrative. This series brings that idea to life by showing how family secrets, and the pain they cause, can stretch across generations and oceans.
Seymour will work alongside archaeologist Natasha Billson, known for her role in The Great British Dig, as they help families uncover their hidden pasts. This collaboration of genealogy and archaeology offers a unique opportunity to not only uncover personal histories but to contextualize them within the broader historical landscape.
Seymour commented:
I’m thrilled to come aboard Relative Secrets as host, deepening my rich relationship with Acorn TV. Now, in addition to solving cleverly crafted mysteries on Harry Wild, I get the chance to uncover real family unknowns. As we all know, reality is often much stranger than fiction – I can’t wait to dive in.
David W. Brady, Kate Harrison Karman, John Ealer, and Seymour will serve as executive producers of the series, which is produced by Cream Productions. This production company is also behind other true-crime hits such as Fear Thy Neighbor and Murder U, ensuring that the investigative rigor viewers expect from true crime is combined with the emotional depth and intrigue of family history.
Don Klees, Senior Vice President of Programming for Acorn TV, remarked,
We are delighted to begin Acorn TV’s journey into unscripted originals with Relative Secrets and the incredible Jane Seymour. This series blends true crime and investigation with the thrilling mystery storytelling Acorn TV audiences know and love, creating something truly special.
Image Source:
- Photo by Frank Okay: Instant images
