BBC has quietly launched one of the most unexpectedly addictive series of the year: Art Detectives, a six-part documentary that combines forensic-level investigation, art history deep dives, and the warm, witty chemistry of two of Britain’s most beloved presenters. Hosted by historian Dr. Janina Ramirez and art critic Waldemar Januszczak, the show has become a surprise hit on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two, pulling in 3.8 million viewers per episode and topping the charts as the most-watched factual series of the autumn season.

The premise is deceptively simple: each episode tackles one iconic work of art – or one infamous forgery – and treats it like a cold case. Ramirez and Januszczak play detective, using X-rays, pigment analysis, archival research, and good old-fashioned sleuthing to uncover the truth behind the painting. Was Leonardo da Vinci really behind that sketch? Is the “priceless” Renaissance altarpiece in a Scottish castle actually a 19th-century fake? Did a Victorian forger fool the entire art world with a “lost” Rembrandt? The answers are delivered with humor, drama, and genuine awe at the genius (and sometimes the audacity) of the artists and con artists involved.

What makes Art Detectives so irresistible is the dynamic between its hosts. Ramirez, the Oxford academic with her infectious enthusiasm and ability to make 15th-century pigments feel thrilling, balances perfectly with Januszczak’s dry wit, sharp eye, and occasional mischievous skepticism. Their banter feels like two old friends arguing in a pub – except the pub is the National Gallery and the argument is about whether a Titian is authentic. “Janina sees the soul of the painting,” Januszczak jokes in one episode. “I just see the brushstrokes – and sometimes the brushstrokes lie.”

Each episode is a mini-adventure. In “The Fake Rembrandt,” they travel to a Scottish castle, examine micro-samples under UV light, and interview descendants of the original owner. In “Caravaggio’s Lost Supper,” they use infrared reflectography to reveal hidden figures beneath the surface of a painting long dismissed as a copy. The science is accessible but never dumbed down – X-ray fluorescence, dendrochronology, and multispectral imaging are explained with the same excitement as a plot twist in a crime drama.

The series also dives into the human stories behind the art: the forgers who lived double lives, the collectors who were duped, the artists whose work was stolen or destroyed. One of the most moving episodes explores a “missing” Vermeer that turned out to have been looted by the Nazis – its journey from Amsterdam to a salt mine to a private vault in Switzerland is told with quiet power.

Critics have been unanimous in praise. The Guardian gave it five stars: “A joyous, intelligent, and beautifully made love letter to art.” The Times called it “the perfect antidote to doom-scrolling – smart, funny, and deeply moving.” On Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at 96% from critics and 89% from audiences, with comments like “I cried during the Vermeer episode – I didn’t know art could make me cry.”

Social media is buzzing. #ArtDetectives has 1.6 million posts, with viewers sharing screenshots of hidden details, debating theories, and posting “now I want to go to the museum” captions. Many say it’s the first time they’ve felt genuinely excited about art history.

Art Detectives isn’t just a documentary series – it’s a reminder that behind every masterpiece is a human story, sometimes beautiful, sometimes tragic, always worth uncovering. Stream all six episodes now on BBC iPlayer. You’ll never look at a painting the same way again.