- Watch Secrets of the Brain for free on BBC iPlayer (UK restricted)
- Outside the UK? Use NordVPN to unblock iPlayer
- Release date: Monday, Sept 29
Secrets of the Brain is a two-part BBC Horizon documentary hosted by physicist and science communicator Jim Al-Khalili. It's airing first in the UK but fans in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe needn't miss out...
Here's how to watch Secrets of the Brain online and from anywhere when you try NordVPN risk free.
The series delves into the evolutionary journey of the human brain, exploring how it has developed over hundreds of millions of years. Al-Khalili examines various aspects, including how early predators influenced neural circuits, the impact of warm-bloodedness on memory, and the role of social behaviors like love and play.
The program combines cutting-edge scientific research with engaging storytelling, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of the brain's complexity and evolution.
How to watch Secrets of the Brain for free on BBC iPlayer
The BBC's online streaming site, BBC iPlayer, is streaming Secrets of the Brain for free.
How to watch BBC iPlayer: Science fans who want to catch Secrets of the Brain can watch on the BBC website or download the BBC iPlayer app (iOS / Android).
All you have to do is sign up and provide your email, date of birth, a UK postcode (e.g. SE1 7PB) and confirm that you have a TV license.
Outside the UK? Use NordVPN to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
How to watch Secrets of the Brain on BBC iPlayer from anywhere
BBC iPlayer is only showing Secrets of the Brain to residents in the UK.
Those traveling or working outside the UK will need to use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer's free series.
There are lots of VPNs but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock BBC iPlayer and watch Secrets of the Brain from anywhere in the world.
It's super simple to use a VPN to watch Secrets of the Brain on BBC iPlayer.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the US and want to watch your free BBC iPlayer stream, you'd select 'UK'.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to BBC iPlayer, sign in, and watch Secrets of the Brain for free.
What devices is BBC iPlayer available on?
You can use BBC iPlayer on all of the following devices and platforms:
Amazon Fire (Tablets, Cube, Stick, TVs)
Android TV (please note: some models aren’t supported)
Android (Mobile & Tablet) - Android 7.0 and above
Apple TV (tvOS 14 or later)
Google TV
Freely
Freesat (please note: some models aren’t supported)
Freeview Play (TVs and set-top boxes)
iOS (iPhone & iPad) - iOS 14 and above
LG Smart TVs (2016-2024)
NOW Smart Sticks and Boxes (minimum firmware v11.5.0)
PlayStation (PS4 and PS5)
Roku (Stick & Roku-OS powered TVs, minimum firmware v11.5.0)
Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and above - 2016 models only offer on demand TV)
Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream
Virgin Media (360, Stream, TiVo)
YouView (BT, Humax, Sony, TalkTalk)
Xbox (One, Series X, Series S)
2025 Ryder Cup line-ups:
Episode 1 (watch now on BBC)
Theoretical physicist Professor Jim Al-Khalili goes on a journey through 600 million years of evolution to uncover how the human brain, the most complex structure known in the universe, came to exist.
With some 100 billion neurons and over 100 trillion connections - more than all the stars in the Milky Way - the human brain is one of nature's greatest achievements. But how did something so incredibly sophisticated evolve from its simple beginnings?
Episode 2 (watch now on BBC)
Physicist Jim Al-Khalili is on a mission to crack the 600-million-year mystery of how the human brain evolved.
Jim watches primates in action to see how they tackle survival challenges, revealing the clever tricks that shaped the brain's thinking. But the real breakthrough came when brains learned to be social. Teaming up with his wife, Jim investigates how relationships and friendships made people more intelligent.
With AI getting smarter by the day, Jim wants to know what makes biological brains so special. Through scans, fossil discoveries and cutting-edge research, he uncovers what makes the brain so hard to emulate.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.