CultureIt's impossible to create the Gen Z version of Friends. Here are five reasons whyThe legacy of Friends can be seen in a new wave of US sitcoms about twenty-something pals hitting the small screen. But, unlike the classic show, they're struggling to make a mark.Dolly Parton's dad couldn't read - it inspired her to send books to millions of childrenFamilies across the globe share how free books from Parton's Imagination Library helped their children.The grisly American Werewolf scene that took horror to new extremesAn American Werewolf in London won the first Oscar for best make-up - and its groundbreaking transformation went on to inspire Michael Jackson's Thriller.Blake Lively awarded $400,000 of $8m she claimed for legal fees in Baldoni battleA judge awards less than Lively requested to cover her legal fees to fight a defamation case he filed.How Massive Attack's legacy is changing festivalsFor the first time, all of Forwards Festival's stages will be powered by green energy.DocumentariesQueen Victoria's MenBattle of the Atlantic: The U-Boat WarWhere the Wild Men Are with Ben FogleAncient Treasures with Bettany HughesA Tale of Two BritainsBritain's Hidden HeritageMurder 24/7Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty7/7: The London BombingsVersailles: The Dream of a KingCanal Boat DiariesRethinking King George III: In Ten PortraitsYou're Dead to MeThe Real Unforgotten: The Unsolved Murder of Carol MorganQueens That Changed the WorldDesert Island DiscsDesert Island DiscsEmma Grede, businesswomanSaveDesert Island DiscsSir Roger Deakins, cinematographerSaveDesert Island DiscsShania Twain, musicianSaveDesert Island DiscsPaul Farmer, charity leaderSaveDesert Island DiscsNorman Cook, DJ and musicianSaveDesert Island DiscsJo Nesbø, writerSaveEntertainment newsPaul Heaton scores first number one album as Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 finally reaches top 40BBC director-general says he was not aware of 'severity' of cuts neededWeekly quiz: Who is taking over as Gilderoy Lockhart in HBO's Harry Potter series?Optimus Prime and Eeyore voice actor Peter Cullen diesWatch listNine of the best TV shows to watch this September From the return of hit Netflix crime drama The Gentlemen to a miniseries about the infamous Lizzie Borden murder case – these are the best series to watch and stream.10 of the best films to watch this SeptemberFrom a Brad Pitt survival adventure with a canine co-star, to witchy sequel Practical Magic 2, starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, here are the films to watch this month.From our Culture editors14 of the best books of 2026 so farFrom a dizzyingly brilliant heist to a devastating tale of generational loss, here are the year's most acclaimed works of fiction so far.How Dolly Parton became one of the world's best-loved stars We examine the enduring appeal of the celebrated musician, who was larger than life but remained curiously enigmatic.Power, posturing, penis size: What the Bayeux Tapestry reveals about the Middle AgesIn the 11th-Century masterpiece's tale of a contested throne, virility is equated to power – and the largest and proudest appendage. It tells a story that feels familiar today.Whales were once seen as monsters - then came Moby Dick Now 175 years old, US author Herman Melville's classic is the ultimate tale of man v whale – but in fact, it questions why humans have been so terrified of these great sea creatures.New Normal with Katty KayWhy more US planes are getting stuck on the tarmacA look at why three-hour airline delays are skyrocketing in the US and what this means for people's travel plans.Why have North American overdose deaths dropped so sharply?A new paper tries to explain why fentanyl overdoses began plummeting in the US and Canada in the middle of 2023.The alarming rise of perfectionism among young peopleFears about not being perfect jumped 40% in 35 years, and the rise began before smart phones social media.In HistoryThe 'real Indiana Jones' who found an ancient, lost city of the IncasIn 1911, a US professor claimed he found the secret mountain stronghold of the last Incan king. 53 years later, a new explorer proved him wrong – and the BBC followed in his footsteps.A US physicist on why the bombing of Nagasaki in WW2 couldn't be stoppedThirty years after the bombing of Nagasaki, a US physicist who helped to assemble the bomb revealed to the BBC the decision-making behind the blast.The bold mission to smuggle Hitler's 'wonder weapon' out of Nazi-occupied PolandIn 1977, the BBC looked back at the summer of 1944, when Allied agents smuggled pieces of Hitler's V2 rocket by hiding them in the apartment of a German officer.The British double agent who defected to Russia and taught enemy spiesKim Philby's defection to the Soviet Union was made public on 30 July 1963. In 2016, the BBC broadcast previously unseen footage of a lecture he gave to the Stasi.Arts in MotionMarina AbramovićMarina Abramović discusses art, creativity, and why she is still pushing artistic boundaries at 79.Arts in MotionKarl Ove KnausgårdKarl Ove Knausgård on the bridge between vulnerability and unbound literary freedom.Arts in Motion(LA)HORDEDesire, revolt and refuge: (LA)HORDE shapes a visceral world through daring choreography.Arts in Motion'I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't paint'Rising artist Shaqúelle Whyte on why painting for him is all about process, repetition, and doubt.Arts in MotionFrancesca Chiejina: Opera saved my lifeThe Nigerian-American soprano on how the stage allowed her to feel everything she was taught to hold back.Arts in MotionCecilia BartoliCecilia Bartoli has spent 40 years at the pinnacle of classical music, a feat few artists ever achieve.Arts in MotionNational Film and Television SchoolIt takes a village to make a film, with dozens of hands collaborating under pressure to turn vision into reality.Arts in MotionInside the school teaching students to slow down and observeAt the Royal Drawing School, students rediscover drawing as a powerful way to see and experience the world anew.Arts in MotionNFTS: Inside one of the world's most elite film schoolsThe NFTS opens its doors to the BBC to share what it takes to shape and train award‑winning filmmakers.Arts in MotionMarina Abramović is done with the pastWidely seen as the queen of contemporary performance art, Marina Abramović speaks to the BBC about her legacy.Arts in MotionEs Devlin's powerful art invites a closer look at strangersThrough intimate encounters with 50 Londoners, influential artist Es Devlin reimagines how we see home.Arts in MotionLina GhotmehFrom war-scarred Beirut to the British Museum, architect Lina Ghotmeh creates spaces that draw on history.Arts in MotionKarl Ove Knausgård: The writer who broke the rulesThe Norwegian author's raw honesty and fearlessness has made him one of literature's most compelling voices.Arts in MotionCecilia Bartoli: See the magic of opera's 'last diva'Renowned for her astounding range, the Italian mezzo-soprano's singing is a source of joy for adoring Opera fans.Arts in MotionThe daring dance collective rewriting the rules of balletMeet the dance trio, La(Horde), leading the National Ballet of Marseille and reinventing ballet for a new era.Arts in MotionElif Shafak says her writing style is 'a little bit drunk'British-Turkish novelist Elif Shafak tells the BBC her writing is guided by intuition rather than a rigid plan.Arts in Motion'Architecture is about allowing the extraordinary to happen'Beirut-born architect Lina Ghotmeh's vision for every structure is to honour their surroundings and history.Arts in MotionArchitects unveil future of design at Venice Biennale 2025As the Venice Biennale closes, curator Carlo Ratti calls on architects to face a burning world with courage.Arts in MotionA masterclass with French tenor Benjamin BernheimFrench tenor Benjamin Bernheim mentors young singers in the delicate art of French opera.Arts in MotionA masterclass with renowned sculptor Antony GormleyBritish sculptor Antony Gormley guides young artists in the expressive medium of clay and creative instincts.Arts in MotionMore culture32 mins agoVienna's great surprise: The Globe MuseumBeautiful, surreal and eerily empty, Vienna's Globe Museum the only public museum on Earth dedicated to globes, and it – quite literally – tells the story of our world.32 mins ago13 hrs agoModel car museum 'last lap' to raise charity fundsOn Your Marques Model Car Museum in Mumby is reopening for the last time over the bank holiday weekend.13 hrs ago14 hrs agoIn pictures: Music fans flock to Victorious FestivalFestival-goers enjoyed blue skies as the three-day festival on the seafront threw open its doors.14 hrs ago16 hrs ago'A huge vanity project' - when Sputnik crash-landed in ScotlandTen years after Sputnik News opened in Edinburgh, why did Scotland become a front in the global disinformation war?16 hrs ago17 hrs agoGadd's debt to Edinburgh: 'You arrive with an idea and leave with a career'The Baby Reindeer star says the festivals are essential for new talent, and that he owes his success to the Fringe.17 hrs ago19 hrs agoArtist granted prestigious visa for paintings of York19 hrs ago19 hrs agoWhy did Courteeners frontman buy tickets to his own gig?Courteeners frontman Liam Fray revisits the Manchester pub where he first got on stage in 2005.19 hrs ago19 hrs agoFears Digbeth faces cultural wipeout if rail expansion goes aheadMusic venue owners say the area is the heart of nightlife in Birmingham which needs saving.19 hrs ago19 hrs agoDress made for turn of the century goes on displayThe Cockleshell Dress, designed to welcome in the 20th Century, is on display for a month.19 hrs ago19 hrs agoArtists sought to create village landmarkTorridge District Council is looking for artists to make original artwork for and about Westward Ho!19 hrs ago19 hrs ago'It's a lot nicer going to a festival alone'Solo festivalgoer Tilly Davies talks about feeling safe, making friends and having "a great time".19 hrs ago1 day agoCharli XCX electrifies Reading Festival with era-spanning setThe British singer and Irish rock band Fontaines DC both headlined the first night of Reading for 2026.1 day ago1 day agoBlossoms release song inspired by Manchester busThe track, born from the frontman's car collision in Manchester, concludes he "should've got the 192".1 day ago1 day agoFirst performers take to the stage at festivalAbout 100,000 people are expected to attend Reading Festival over the weekend.1 day ago2 days agoCelebrity Hunted showed I can achieve anything after cancer, Amy Dowden saysThe Strictly Come Dancing star appeared on the latest series of the Channel 4 challenge show.2 days ago...