Plot Synopsis

Hosted and executive produced by William Shatner, UNXPLAINED is a one-hour anthology series, which tackles subjects that have mystified mankind for centuries -- from mysterious structures and cursed ancient cities to extraterrestrial sightings and bizarre rituals. To explore facts behind the world's most strange and bizarre mysteries, the series features contributions from top scientists, historians, engineers and researchers -- each seeking to shed light on how the seemingly impossible can happen. "I'm thrilled to be hosting and producing the new History series UNXPLAINED," said Shatner. "It's an intriguing show that will offer viewers credible answers to questions about mysterious phenomena, while also leaving other theories left unexplained."

Season 1 episodes include:

"Evil Places" (Premieres Friday, July 19, 2019): focuses on places where bad things seem to repeatedly -- and inexplicably -- happen? Deadly forests. Haunted houses. Mountains where visitors never return alive. Are there such things as "evil places"? And if so, is it possible that these locations are imbued with dark energy that is currently beyond our understanding?

"Mysterious Structures" (Premieres Friday, July 26, 2019): For centuries, archaeologists have tried to unravel the mysteries of how -- and why -- certain incredible structures like the Great Pyramid at Giza, the staircase at Loretto Chapel, and Coral Castle were built. Will we ever find the answers? Or, might these structures have been intentionally constructed to perpetually mystify us?

"Strange Creatures" (Premieres Friday, August 2, 2019): Millions of people around the world claim to have had an encounter with a creature unlike any recognized by mainstream science -- such as the Mothman, Chupacabra, and Mongolian Death Worm. Could these incredible creatures be real? And if so, what could possibly explain these freaks of nature?

"Unnatural Nature" (Premieres Friday, August 9, 2019): Many mysteries of planet Earth are far from understood. How was Devil's Tower formed? Or why do some people get struck by lightning multiple times? While some may write off these as random occurrences, might they instead point to a new understanding of not only our planet's past -- but also its future?

"Bizarre Rituals" (Premieres Friday, August 16, 2019): Ancient practices such as prayer, blood sports, voodoo, and exorcism are often thought to be relics of bygone superstition -- but there is evidence they have an impact on the physical world. Is it possible that the mind and body can use the power of ritual to tap into hidden forces that lie just beyond the grasp of conventional explanation?

"Life Beyond Death" (Premieres Friday, August 23, 2019): Perhaps the greatest unexplained mystery of all is: what happens to us after we die? Perhaps clues to the answer lie in unusual cases of near-death experience, reincarnation, and how memories can be passed from organ donors to transplant recipients. Are these phenomena figments of our collective imagination, or could they be real?

"Mysteries of the Mind" (Premieres Friday, August 30, 2019): Even after centuries of study, the human mind remains as inscrutable as ever. Could the quintessential human machine, the brain, be even more powerful than we realize? And does that suggest that fantastic abilities such as Remote Viewing will one day be recognized not as science fiction, but as science fact -- even if, for the moment, they remain UnXplained?

"Incredible Survivors" (Season finale premieres Friday, September 6, 2019): How do some people live through the impossible? Whether it's plane crashes, bearing freezing temperatures, or performing superhuman feats while in danger -- remarkable tales of human survival force us to reconsider what we know about our own will to live. Do we have a hidden reserve of inexplicable energy locked away inside us -- that only gets released when the situation calls for it?



THE UNXPLAINED and its host, William Shatner, returned for a second season on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT on History Channel. The season opener focuses on The Oak Island Curse. Could a cache of fantastic riches have been buried centuries ago on a tiny island in the North Atlantic? And if such a treasure exists, who buried it? For more than 200 years, treasure hunters have been coming to Oak Island in search of a treasure that has so far eluded them all, and has even cost six men their lives. Could it be that, as legend suggests, the treasure is protected by a deadly curse?

Subsequent episodes include:

"Dark Prophecies" (Premieres Saturday, March 7, 2020): Modern prophets. Catastrophic premonitions. Dreams of future crimes. Can people really predict the future? And if so, can we harness this knowledge to avoid the deadly events waiting in the days to come? Or is the future an unknowable mystery unfolding all the time?

"Lost Civilizations" (Premieres Saturday, March 14, 2020): Abandoned cities. Ancient cultures nearly erased by time. And colossal empires that simply vanished without a trace. How does a civilization become "lost"? What could cause once-thriving groups of people to just abandon their great cities, never to return? Can modern scientific knowledge help answer the unsolved questions surrounding these lost civilizations, or is there something more mysterious at work?

"Deadly Cuts" (Premieres Saturday, March 21, 2020): Deadly dances. Masters of manipulation. Mass suicides. Murder. Many of the world's deadliest cults ventured down dark, dangerous rabbit-holes of twisted ideologies, persuading their members to kill -- sometimes other people, sometimes themselves. Is there any sense to these sinister groups? Or will the unreckoned forces behind such Deadly Cults remain...UnXplained?

"The Greatest Escapes" (Premieres Saturday, July 11, 2020): Some of history's greatest tales are stories of escape, the most incredible of which defy explanation. How did Harry Houdini pull off his daring feats? Was the "Escape from Alcatraz" in fact, successful? And what about the mysterious guidance one man received that allowed him to escape the South Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11? Are there strange forces these escapees draw upon to beat the odds, where so many others fail? Or, like a great magic trick, will the secrets of how they cheated captivity remain UnXplained?

"Superhuman Senses" (Premieres Saturday, July 18, 2020): Our five senses -- sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch -- construct the reality of the world around us, like a blank canvas continuously painted and repainted over every day. For each person, this portrait of reality is slightly different, but we more or less agree that the sky is blue, lemons are sour, and horns are loud. But what about when one or more of your senses is heightened, changed, or even taken away all together? Do people with these radically-altered senses show us that each of us has limitless sensory potential, waiting to be unlocked? And is it possible that we have a mysterious "6th sense," one that is currently UnXplained?

"Mysterious Curses" (Premieres Saturday, July 25, 2020): Throughout history, many have believed that certain places, things, or even people can be tainted with dark curses. Ominous lakes that morph into watery graves. Unlucky numbers that seem to cause bad things to happen. Paintings and precious stones, which bring death and destruction to their keepers. But can these mysterious curses really have the power to bring us harm? And if so, is it possible to understand their power, or will it remain UnXplained?

"The Truth About UFOs" (Premieres Saturday, August 1, 2020): For decades, the debate has raged as to what exactly Unidentified Flying Objects -- or "UFOs" -- really are. Theories have been put forth that attribute them to everything from secret military aircraft to weather phenomena and more. But by far, the most controversial theory is that these objects are, in fact, spacecraft that have been piloted to Earth by extraterrestrial beings. It's a seemingly outlandish notion, but could it be true? And if so, how much does the government know about these spacecraft -- and the aliens who are visiting our planet?

"The Underground World" (Premieres Saturday, August 8, 2020): Despite all of our modern technology and sophistication, there is much that we still don't know about what lies beneath our feet, deep underground. What is at the center of the Earth? Is there really a solid core of heavy metals, or could it be a hollow environment, as many researchers claim? And just how much of mankind's history took place underground? Recent discoveries of ancient underground structures such as the city of Derinkuyu and the Malta Hypogeum suggest that there may be more structures down there, waiting to be re-discovered. If much of our past was subterranean, could our future be as well?

"Leading Double Lives" fka "The Great Impostors" (Premieres Saturday, August 15, 2020): Stories of great impostors are both daring and baffling. What compels a person to attempt to become someone else? Is it merely for material gain, or to pull off an ingenious scam? Or is there a deeper reason? At one time or another, we've all fantasized about trying on a new identity, but in the case of great impostors -- like Ferdinand Demara, "Clark Rockefeller" a.k.a Christian Gerhartsreiter, and Anna Anderson -- their fantasies, in a sense, became reality. When does the line between impersonation and transformation get blurred? Is it possible that by pretending to be someone else, a person can actually become that person, at least in their mind?

"Mysteries of the Bible" (Premieres Friday, January 1, 2021): Many believe it to be the Word of God, while others claim it contains inconsistencies and contradictions that could only be manmade. But whether actually divine, or merely divinely inspired, the Bible is inarguably the most important historical text ever written. What is it about the Bible that continues to fascinate and compel us? Could its true nature have been lost or misinterpreted -- or as some suspect, deliberately concealed -- over time?

"Mysterious Mummies" (Premieres Friday, January 8, 2021): From ancient civilizations to 20th century empires, mankind has had an inexplicable fascination with preserving the dead. But why? Are we simply too attached to the living to let them go? Or could it be that death isn't really the end, but rather a transition to a new beginning?

"Secrets of America's Monuments" (Premieres Friday, January 15, 2021): Many see them as massive testaments to America's progress. Some view them as immutable symbols of the human spirit. Others perceive them as sacred shrines dedicated to the ideals of liberty and freedom. But no matter what they represent -- America's monuments are inarguably impressive due to their colossal size and scope, their groundbreaking feats of engineering, and their storied histories. Why is it that America's greatest monuments continue to enthrall us decades -- and sometimes centuries--after their creation? And perhaps more importantly, what closely guarded secrets may their implacable facades be hiding?

"The Search for Atlantis" (Premieres Friday, January 22, 2021): According to the Greek philosopher Plato, the lost continent of Atlantis was once home to an advanced civilization before it was destroyed in a cataclysm. But was Plato's story merely a myth? Or did Atlantis really exist? For centuries, archaeologists have tried to uncover evidence to prove that this legend is true. Will Atlantis finally be re-discovered, perhaps by employing modern technology? Or will this lost civilization remain...UnXplained?

"Extraordinary Engineering" (Premieres Friday, January 29, 2021): For centuries, humanity has been compelled to build remarkable structures that are much more than simple places of shelter or work. What makes us want to create magnificent buildings that are bigger and grander than ourselves -- and last for centuries? Whether it's Stonehenge, the Notre Dame Cathedral, or the world's tallest skyscrapers -- extraordinary works of engineering are evidence of a strong instinct within us that we don't fully understand. Are we trying to prove something? Or perhaps show our power over nature? Or could there be another reason that is, for now...UnXplained?

"The Power of Gold" (Premieres Friday, February 19, 2021): Gold. It's one of the most valuable precious metals on the planet, has been coveted by societies for centuries, and can be found inside countless modern electronics. Mankind's quest for gold harkens back thousands of years, but what is the special power that gold wields over our collective consciousness? Is it merely because it's rare and valuable, or could it be something more than that?

"Bizarre Vanishings" (Premieres Friday, March 5, 2021): Stories of mysterious disappearances are as compelling as they are confounding. Despite all of our modern technology, there are aspects of some vanishings that are bizarre and simply can't be explained. In the case of Malaysia Flight MH370, we may never know what caused the plane to go thousands of miles off course. Other cases are even more baffling, such as the strange incidents that have taken place in the Bermuda Triangle. While skeptics point out that they may be simple cases of bad luck, or bad weather, some researchers suggest that unknown forces may be involved. Can these bizarre vanishings be chalked up to tragic accidents? Or could they be the result of something more...UnXplained?

"Serial Killers" (Premieres Friday, March 12, 2021): The total disregard for life exhibited by serial killers shocks our sense of humanity and makes us question our safety and security. These sadistic psychopaths rarely show any remorse or empathy for the lives they've destroyed. How could human beings be capable of these horrific atrocities? And what causes such a murderous defect in the human psyche?

"The Mystery of Plagues" (Premieres Friday, April 2, 2021): On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that the outbreak of the lethal Coronavirus had become a worldwide pandemic. We'll examine some of the most devastating plagues in human history, as well the scientific advances to combat these diseases, including the development of Edward Jenner's vaccine for smallpox in the 1790s. Jenner's vaccine was one of the first major breakthroughs in modern medicine and helped to end humanity's superstitious attitude towards disease. But in the future, might we face diseases that are different from the ones we've experienced in the past?

"Mysteries of the Moon" (Premieres Friday, April 9, 2021): For centuries, humanity has looked up at the Moon with a sense of wonder. But is the Moon just a rock floating in space? Or could it hold profound secrets -- and perhaps even possess incredible powers? This is what we will try to find out.

"Outrageous Robberies" (Premieres Friday, April 16, 2021): What motivates someone to steal? Is it just for the money, or could a criminal have other reasons for pulling off a particularly daring robbery? Will we ever understand the motivations that drive people to undertake the most bizarre, intricate, and dangerous crimes -- or will the mind of a master criminal remain....UnXplained?



On Friday, November 5, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT, History Channel premiered "The Hunt for Hidden Treasures," the Season 3 debut of THE UNXPLAINED, immediately following a nine-hour marathon (Noon-9pm) of encore episodes. Sunken ships filled with priceless cargo. Lost cities of gold. Ancient temples concealing untold riches. There's something about these hidden treasures that captures the human imagination. But are lost treasures merely the stuff of legend? Or could they actually be real?

"Satanic Encounters" (Friday, November 12, 2021): For thousands of years, people have believed in the existence of Satan, the embodiment of evil. Some believe he has the power to possess souls and create mayhem amongst humanity. But is Satan a myth? Or are there signs of Satan's existence -- and the evil he brings into our world?

"The Search for the Ark of the Covenant" (Friday, November 19, 2021): Throughout history, many have sought the lost Ark of the Covenant; according to the Old Testament, God himself instructed Moses to build the Ark and it is believed that it held the power of the Almighty.

"Apocalypse When?" (Friday, November 26, 2021): Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has been fixated on predicting our own demise. Perhaps it will be asteroids, black holes, or something even more mysterious that will wipe us out. But is there anything we can do to predict the future and protect ourselves from apocalypse? Will our civilization end -- or will we find a way to evolve and endure?

"Secrets of the Immortals" (Friday, December 3, 2021): Sacred waters with remarkable healing powers. Ancient mystics who lived for hundreds of years. A scientific breakthrough may provide the answers to eternal life. Throughout history many have searched for the secret to everlasting life, but so far, it's eluded them. But is it possible to cheat death and live forever? What if, by re-examining ancient teachings and harnessing modern technology, we could eventually become immortal?

"Sacred Bones" (Friday, December 10, 2021): Mankind has always pondered what happens after death and what we leave behind. Many wonder what power our bones may hold. Some believe bones can bring good luck or even allow us to speak with the dead. But is it possible that our bones hold some sacred power -- or perhaps even our souls?

"Mysteries of Mars" (Friday, December 17, 2021): For centuries, humanity has been fixated on Mars -- the glowing red orb in the night sky. As a new era of exploration of the Red Planet begins, we are on the cusp of finally solving the Red Planet's mysteries. Ancient cataclysms are believed to have left Mars barren, but science continues to find clues that this red planet was once blue and capable of producing life. Will we finally uncover evidence of life on Mars, once we finally set foot there? And what else might we discover on this mysterious planet?

"Mysterious Ancient Ruins" (Friday, April 1, 2022 at 9pm): Ancient ruins fascinate us, and some archaeological finds are so baffling that they challenge everything we know about the past. Will we ever learn the truth about these mysterious ruins? Or will they continue to present more questions than answers?

"The Mystery of Genius" (Friday, April 1, 2022 at 10pm): Genius is widely considered to be the ability to change the world in an incredible way: inventing new technology, deciphering the mysteries of the universe, or creating transcendent art. But where does genius come from? What is the X-factor that makes someone a genius? Is it "good genes"? A proper education? Or do geniuses tap into something much more mysterious and extraordinary?

"What Lies Below?" (Friday, April 8, 2022 at 10pm): More than 80% of the Earth's oceans remain unexplored, and in many ways, the underwater world is the final frontier. As new technology allows us to explore oceans and deep lakes more than ever before, what will we find? Will we discover profound secrets about the oceans? Underwater ruins that were lost for thousands of years? Or perhaps something even more extraordinary?

"Secrets of Abandoned Places" (Friday, April 15, 2022): From the ancient Babylonian's to modern day urban explorers, mankind has always been fascinated by abandoned places. What is the allure that draws us to these post-apocalyptic landscapes? Is it simply morbid curiosity? Or, something harder to define? Could abandoned places actually be places of 'magic'--as the ancients believed?

"Acts of God" (Friday, April 22, 2022): There are some events that are so destructive, so astounding, or truly miraculous -- that for the faithful -- they must be directed by the hand of the Almighty. The Great Flood. The Plagues of Egypt. Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses Parting the Red Sea. Were these merely tall tales, or could they be historically accurate? And, if so, were they just freak occurrences -- or were Acts of God?

"Serial Killer Creatures" (Friday, May 6, 2022): The animal kingdom is full of deadly predators, and some of them attack in extraordinary and inexplicable ways. Do some animals strike back at humans for reasons beyond normal defense and hunger? Can they have emotions like anger or a desire for revenge? Despite our technological advancement, do animals pose a greater threat to us than we realize for reasons that we cannot explain?

"Mysterious Tombs" (Friday, May 13, 2022): Throughout history humans have buried their dead -- in caves or chambers, in pyramids or in some form of a tomb -- but why? Ancient tombs were visual memorials for the dead. In China, a vast necropolis was constructed as a way to connect to the afterlife. Is there an inherit need for us to dig up our past? What is it that we are searching for? And what profound secrets might remain hidden in tombs?

"Uncanny Curses" (Friday, May 20, 2022): All over the world, there are places and objects that are thought to be cursed. Many people avoid these locations and things, believing they will bring harm. Others think that curses are nothing than superstition and folklore. Are curses just the product of over-active imaginations? The byproduct of uncanny coincidences? Or is it possible that these curses are real -- and there are dark forces at play that defy explanation?

"Superhuman Feats" (Friday, May 27, 2022): Some people are capable of the seemingly impossible. Whether surviving freezing temperatures, diving unfathomable depths on one breath, or lifting objects of mind-boggling weight, superhuman feats never cease to amaze. But how do these superhumans pull them off? Is it a matter of training, willpower, genetics, or something more mysterious?

"Mysteries of the Missing Link" (Friday, June 3, 2022): Today, human civilization spans the globe, and there are more than 7 billion people on Earth. But how did humanity evolve? Although many around the globe believe that the divine hand of God placed homo sapiens on Earth, were there other kinds of human-like creatures -- cousins of man -- that could have been just as intelligent as us? And if so, might these other species still exist today, perhaps in remote parts of the world?

"Surviving the Impossible" (Friday, June 10, 2022): Human can survive catastrophic injuries and deadly scenarios that defy the odds in ways that are inexplicable. These survivals challenge our best attempts to explain how anyone could live through such circumstances. Is cheating death when survival is seemingly impossible simply fate or good fortune? Or are there other, more mysterious, factors at play?

"The Search for King Arthur" (Friday, June 24, 2022): King Arthur. England's first pop culture superhero, his exploits have inspired numerous blockbuster movies and television series. Without King Arthur, we wouldn't have Middle Earth, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Star Wars or--perish the thought--Star Trek. It is impossible to gauge the impact that the Arthurian legend has had on our Western culture. A testament to the power of myth? Or the enduring legacy of fact? Was he simply a thrilling figure cobbled together from the folklore of many cultures? Or a flesh and blood man?

"Wonders of the Ancient World" (Friday, October 7, 2022): Remarkable feats of engineering from our ancient past span the globe. Some are amazing in size. Others in sophistication. Some are so strange they border on inexplicable. Did the ancients have advanced scientific knowledge that has been lost to time? How--and why--did they fashion these incredible wonders?

"The Hunt for Jack the Ripper" (Friday, October 14, 2022): Who was Jack the Ripper? The question has baffled police investigators, historians, and armchair detectives for over a century. Countless books, movies, and television shows have been based on the Ripper's murderous exploits each with their own unique take on the killer's identity. Was he an accomplished surgeon? A member of the British royal family? Did he actually exist at all? Over 130 years later, are we any closer to the identity of one of history's most notorious serial murderers?

"The Search for Extraterrestrial Life" (Friday, October 21, 2022): Space. The Final Frontier -- and the ultimate mystery. Scientists are involved in a never-ending quest to understand the vast universe our planet inhabits. But it seems that for each answer science provides, even more questions arise. Our own solar system is populated by mysterious objects and phenomenon that seem to defy our attempts to understand them. And when we get deeper into space, the mysteries only deepen. What could lay beyond the confines of the Milky Way? Are there galaxies similar to our own? Could they be capable of sustaining intelligent life? And is that life trying to contact us?

"Real Life Monsters" (Friday, October 28, 2022): For centuries, fantastic tales of terrifying monsters have fascinated mankind. Bizarre beasts of all shapes and sizes have been portrayed in some of history's most classic stories and folklore. But what if these creatures were more than just works of imagination and superstition? Could these stories of legendary creatures be inspired by actual events and where does the line between fact and fiction fall? Do these famous monsters still lurk in the dark corner of our globe today?

"America's Lost Treasures" (Friday, November 4, 2022): For hundreds of years there have been legends of vast treasures hidden throughout the United States. Stories of stolen gold, piracy, murderous revenge, but are these legends of lost treasures tall tales? Or is it possible that these valuables are out there, waiting to be discovered?

"The Bermuda Triangle and the Beyond" (Friday, November 18, 2022): All over the world are forbidden 'triangles' -- mysterious regions where ships, planes, and people enter and then just disappear. They are found in Bermuda, Alaska, Japan and elsewhere. But why? Do these locations defy the laws of physics? Or is it possible that there are some places on Earth that we are simply not meant to go?

"The Weird Wild West" (Friday, December 2, 2022): The American frontier is full of legends of cowboys, Native Americans, and outlaws. But there are also many eerie stories of cursed mountains, monsters and even UFOs. Could these tales be true? Is the Wild West much stranger than commonly though?

"Devastating Disasters" (Friday, December 9, 2022): In our modern world, we tend to think that technology and scientific knowledge can help protect us from almost anything, including natural disasters. But is that really true? Or are we just as vulnerable today in the face of raging fires, violent earthquakes, and destructive hurricanes as our ancestors were in the past?
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Tonight (Friday, December 16, 2022) at 9pm ET/PT, History Channel premieres "Mysterious Monoliths," a new episode of THE UNXPLAINED. All over the world, there are giant monoliths that our ancient ancestors carved out of solid rock. But what was the purpose of these huge stone monuments? Did they serve some kind of ritual function? Were they intended to honor the gods? Or is it possible that, as some believe, certain monoliths were actually designed to conduct energy?