Particle6, the UK-based production company behind controversial AI production Tilly Norwood, has been commissioned by Hearst Networks to create an AI-driven series.
“Straten van Toen” (“Streets of the Past”) is a 10-episode short history series commissioned by the Dutch History Channel in which Dutch historical researcher, author, and reality star Coljan Mol (“The Curse of Oak Island”) travels back in time with the help of AI to tell compelling stories related to some of the Netherlands’ most famous streets, squares, and canalsides.
Featured episodes include one focused on Amsterdam’s Lokin, now a bustling shopping district. Lokin was home to the world’s first stock exchange in the 17th century. And Utrecht’s Janskerkhof, now a flower market and student square, was the center of the Dutch resistance movement during World War II.
In each episode, Korjan Mol begins with a filming location and visits modern-day streets. As the story of a key moment in history unfolds, the AI helps Mole travel back in time and join in the action with cameos. Each immersive historical scene is created by AI using archival materials such as paintings, sculptures, and photographs to ensure accuracy, and Particle6 uses both real and imagined historical figures to convey key facts through real stories about events in the Netherlands at this time.
“While we have previously used AI behind the scenes in production, in areas such as research and post, this is the first series where AI is primarily deployed on screen, all carefully guided by humans, of course,” said Elaine van der Velden, Founder and CEO of Particle6. “And while we always knew this would happen as long as technology allowed, this technology has proven to be the perfect creative partner, seamlessly blending live-action footage of the Netherlands today with AI scenes from the same location in the past, delivering stunning cinematic imagery that can provide a blueprint for future historical formats.”
Appearing on Variety earlier this month, van der Velden spoke about Norwood, who became a highly controversial subject after suggesting the AI character would sign with an agency. Despite the huge backlash that ensued, Mr van der Velden said he “didn’t think it was controversial”, but added that Norwood “wasn’t a stunt or an exercise, it was part of a successful business strategy”.
