Charles II & Nell Gwynn

S01 E02 • Friday, Apr 18, 2025 • Apr 18

Join Dr Kate Lister as we follow 17th century Royal Favourite, actress Nell Gwynn’s rise to fame from humble orange seller to actress on the glittering restoration stage to her most famous and remembered role, the mistress of King Charles II. But our Nelly is so much more than Charles’ favourite mistress! How did she manage to win not just the heart of the King, but the public, the Queen and even some of the other mistresses? Kate will find out exactly what made this superstar who Samuel Pepys recorded as being ‘pretty, witty Nell’ the shining star of 17th century society and how she used her charm, beauty and comedic talent to get to the top tier and stay there! Along the way Kate will meet back up with some familiar faces from episode one, such as Professor Kate Williams, Dr Jonathan Healey and National Portrait Gallery Curator Catherine MacLeod, as well as meeting theatre historian Professor David Taylor, social historian Katie Wignall and stand-up comedian Angela Barnes.