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."

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?

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?

The fourth season of THE UNXPLAINED debuted with back-to-back new episodes on Friday, April 1, 2022 from 9-11pm ET/PT on History Channel. In the season opener (9pm), "Mysterious Ancient Ruins," 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? In the second episode, "The Mystery of Genius," 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?

On Friday, March 31, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT, History Channel premiered the fifth season of THE UNXPLAINED, immediately following an all-day marathon of encore episodes. In the season opener, "Lost Cities," 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?

On Friday, October 6, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT on History Channel, Season 6 of THE UNXPLAINED debuted. Host William Shatner returns to feature compelling contributions from scientists, historians, witnesses and experiencers - each seeking to shed light on how the seemingly impossible actually can happen. From mysterious structures to strange creatures and bizarre rituals, the series explores subjects that have mystified mankind for centuries. In the season opener, "The World Beneath Our Feet," humanity has launched satellites into outer space and submarines to the ocean floor, but the ground below Earth's surface remains shrouded in mystery. Are there profound secrets buried beneath layers of rock, or hidden in vast caves? Can the subterranean world below shed light on humanity's past, or even its future?

On Friday, October 4, 2023 at 9pm ET/PT, History Channel premiered the seventh season of THE UNXPLAINED. In the season opener, "The Golden Age of Pirates," during The Golden Age of Piracy, thousands of buccaneers terrorized the high seas and became legends. Their exploits spawned fantastic stories of larger-than-life characters, billion dollar heists, and buried treasure that to this day, has never been found. Are these stories simply tall tales, or is the truth stranger than fiction?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Friday, November 8, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT, History Channel premiered "Islands of the Damned," the Season 7 finale of THE UNXPLAINED. There are islands throughout the world that despite their scenic and tranquil beauty, evoke nothing but fear and dread. Islands riddled with dark histories, unspeakable tragedy, and the belief by locals that they are cursed. Are the misfortunes experienced by the inhabitants of these islands simply a series of tragic coincidences, or is it possible that scattered across the planet there are... Islands of the Damned?