Bbc 2020

Suzy Klein introduces Richard Jones' production of Puccini's opera, performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2020. Sonya Yoncheva heads the cast as the doomed seamstress Mimì, with Charles Castronovo as Rodolfo, who falls in love with her at first sight, and Simona Mihai and Andrzej Filonczyk as on-off lovers Musetta and Marcello. Conducted by Emmanuel Villaume.

An exploration of how Vladimir Putin deployed his knowledge of spy-craft as a politician, and how modern Russia evolved through an acute sense of betrayal, pride and anger

In March 2020, Scotland's former first minister Alex Salmond emerges from the High Court in Edinburgh, cleared of 14 charges of sexual misconduct. The verdict concludes one of the most dramatic trials Britain has ever seen. From the moment the story breaks in the Daily Record in August 2018 to Salmond's acquittal the very day the UK locks down against Coronavirus, Kirsty Wark follows the ups and downs of a case that has seen tabloid scoops shock the nation and the destruction of one of the strongest political partnerships in modern politics.

The Sky at Night team explore the life and death of stars. Chris Lintott investigates the strange dimming of Betelgeuse, which caused some speculation that it might be about to explode into a supernova. And Maggie Aderin-Pocock reports on the recent discovery of the biggest and brightest supernova ever observed. Lucie Green discovers how historical drawings that pre-date the invention of the telescope are helping us to predict solar activity, and Pete attempts to photograph our very own star, the Sun. The team also pay tribute to pioneering astronomer Margaret Burbidge, who died on 5th April 2020 at the age of 100, whose work led to the understanding that we are all made of stardust.

Gordon Buchanan helps cat expert Dr Victor Lukarevsky as he tries - for the first time ever - to rescue and rehabilitate lynx from the lucrative fur and pet trades back to the wild.

The opioid epidemic has devastated America. But what is the situation here? A new report from Public Health England raises serious concerns about Britain's own relationship with painkillers. Dr Michael Mosley embarks on an immersive journey to Britain’s opioid frontline and meets patients struggling with addiction and GPs fighting a constant battle to help those suffering from chronic pain. He also uncovers worrying evidence of people abusing over-the-counter opioids and discovers how easy it is to buy strong opioids online.

Filmed during lockdown, this investigative documentary made by Academy Award-winning film-maker Alex Gibney, with co-directors Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger, includes revealing testimonies from public health officials and senior White House staff, exposing a system-wide collapse.

In June 2004, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner was shot six times by al-Qaeda gunmen whilst reporting on growing terrorist activity in Saudi Arabia. The bullets damaged his spinal nerves – at the age of 43, Frank was left partially paralysed and has used a wheelchair ever since.

Focuses on life and the environment in both the Arctic and Antarctic.

Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams present a week of programmes live from the Cairngorms, showcasing wildlife stories recorded across the UK.