Unlock New Secrets of the Dead this Fall
Pumpkin spice lattes are back, store shelves are stocked with Halloween decor and now, there’s no better way to celebrate the spooky season than solving new mysteries on Secrets of the Dead this month. With six new episodes, this season reveals groundbreaking historical discoveries, from archaeological breakthroughs at the sites of ancient temples to biographical revelations hidden in secret correspondence. Episodesair Wednesdays at 10pm on CET and ThinkTV16, October 8 through November 12. Watch a preview: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/fall-2025-series-sell-7yhizj/.
Learn more about each of the new episodes below:
The Rise & Fall of the Colosseum
Wednesday, October 8, at 10pm
Analyze the rise and fall of the Colosseum in ancient Rome. It wowed vast crowds with extraordinary spectacles, pushed the boundaries of technology and exhibited Rome’s vast wealth and influence. But just as the structure embodied the Empire’s power, helping Roman leaders conquer the ancient world, so too did it contribute to its downfall. Watch a preview: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/preview-the-rise-fall-of-the-colosseum-qybzh3/.
Cleopatra’s Last Temple
Wednesday, October 15, at 10pm
Journey to Alexandria’s harbor, where the ruins of a mysterious ancient monument lie just below the Mediterranean’s surface. For more than 20 years, French explorer Franck Goddio has been hoping to confirm these remains are a temple belonging to Cleopatra. If true, this discovery could reveal vital information about her reign and her connection with the goddess Isis. Watch a preview: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/preview-cleopatras-last-temple-m9lmjk/.
Cracking the Queen’s Code
Wednesday, October 22, at 10pm
Decipher the secret correspondence of one of the most tragic characters in European history: Mary, Queen of Scots. In early 2003, three amateur codebreakers announced they had successfully decoded the 57 encrypted letters, detailing the exiled queen’s efforts to free herself from imprisonment. Now, after four centuries, Mary’s urgent pleas can be revealed. Watch a preview: https://watch.cetconnect.org/video/preview-cracking-the-queens-code-mu0gkn/.
Chasing the Plague
Wednesday, October 29, at 10pm
Track down the earliest known bubonic plague victims and consider the effects of one of the most deadly pandemics in human history. What happens when a third of a continent’s population is wiped out? Scientists investigate what can be done to prevent future outbreaks, while historians and scholars explore the societal impact of the plague on medieval Europe.
China’s Bronze Kingdom
Wednesday, November 5, at 10pm
Unearth a mysterious ancient city lying hidden in the mountains of Sichuan. These are the remnants of a kingdom consigned to oblivion for thousands of years, until a chance discovery in 1929. Today, more than 10,000 unusual items have been found at the site which experts believe may be as archaeologically important as the Terracotta Army of Xi’an.
Picturing Shakespeare
Wednesday, November 12, at 10pm
Investigate the authenticity of a recently-discovered William Shakespeare portrait. There are only two accepted representations that are considered “official,” but a third has been hanging over a mantlepiece for the last 50 years. British window washer Steven Wadlow is on the hunt to prove it is genuine. If so, it could be worth as much as $200 million.
Episodes of Secrets of the Dead are also available to stream on-demand with CET Passport: https://watch.cetconnect.org/show/secrets-of-the-dead/.
CET Passport is available to members who donate at least $60 a year or $5 a month. Learn more here: https://watch.cetconnect.org/passport/learn-more/.
