Stanley Tucci imagines the story of modern California as a movie screenplay, tracing the dramatic history of the state from Hollywood to Silicon Valley.

Welcome to The Californian Century

History

Society & Culture

Stanley Tucci tells the story of Jerry Brown, California's longest serving governor.   Brown is a singular figure in Californian politics, having presided over California from 1975 to 1983 and 2011 to 2019. In a wide-ranging interview, Brown shares his thoughts on California's past and future. A great source of inspiration is his great grandfather, who came over in the Gold Rush. But Jerry Brown believes after a century of growth, California must now learn to embrace limits. Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester Written and produced by Laurence Grissell

Governor Jerry Brown

Stanley Tucci tells the story of Ice-T, the original gangster rapper. Ice T's controversial hit Cop Killer epitomised the turbulence of 1990s LA, consumed by the outrage of the Rodney King beating. But Ice himself would go on to play a cop on TV - showing California's talent for absorbing dissidence into the mainstream. Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester Written and produced by Laurence Grissell

On Ice

Stanley Tucci tells the story of Dianne Feinstein, trailblazing Californian politician who took over as mayor of San Francisco in 1978 after the murders of Harvey Milk and Mayor Moscone. Feinstein was charged with the difficult task of healing San Francisco after the brutal slaying of two highly popular leaders - against the backdrop of the further horrors of the recent Jonestown Massacre. Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester Written and produced by Laurence Grissell

San Francisco Burning

Stanley Tucci tells the story of Kathleen Cleaver, a leading light in the short-lived but highly influential Black Panther Party which was founded in Oakland, California. Kathleen Cleaver and the Panthers were sick of the compromises of the mainstream civil rights movement.  Their militant approach influenced many other activists - including San Francisco's increasingly vocal LGBT community. But for the US government, the Panthers became public enemy number one - and leading figures like Cleaver were forced to flee. Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester Written and produced by Laurence Grissell

Acts of Resistance

Stanley Tucci continues his history of California with the story of Silicon Valley's troubled founder, William Shockley. Shockley was the man who first brought silicon to Silicon Valley in the 1950s.  He was an undoubted genius.  But he was also a hideous boss and an irredeemable racist. California wants to dazzle you with its endless sunshine and visions of the future – but that’s just a mirage. Stanley Tucci plays a hard-boiled screenwriter uncovering the full, sordid truth. He knows exactly where all the bodies are buried. Academic consultant: Dr Ian Scott, University of Manchester Written and produced by Laurence Grissell

Welcome to The Californian Century

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