Fake or Fortune?: Back at the gallery, the plot thickens

September 27, 2021 1:56 AM - All Seasons

True detective TV brimming with mystery, suspense, and art history. British art dealer and historian Philip Mould pairs with journalist and Antiques Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce to examine the provenance and attribution of questioned works of art.

Employing forensic technology and detective work to track origin and ownership, each episode usually addresses one item or set. Fortunes have been made from thrift store finds while hopes have been dashed and family histories exposed by centuries-old trickery. If you want a G-rated detective show that discusses pigments and brushwork in hushed British tones, this is for you.

Series 9 currently available on ABC iView in Australia. At least the first three series are available on Amazon Prime in the US. See your local programming.

posted by Thella (2 comments total)

This is one of those shows I'll get sucked into if I come across it while flipping channels, but I somehow never get around to watching as "appointment" TV. So for anybody on the fence about watching it, give it a go. It's really compelling storytelling.
posted by sardonyx at 7:51 AM on September 27, 2021 [2 favorites]

Count me in as a big fan of the series - - Fiona and Phillip make this seemingly esoteric subject riveting.

If you're looking for an entry point, I would recommend Series 7 - Episode 4, in which the team take on a painting purported to be of Dido Belle, whom you may remember from the underrated 2013 film Belle starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw.
posted by fairmettle at 11:26 PM on September 27, 2021