University historian asks: 'Who do you think you are?'

19 September 2012

University of Hull historian, Dr Nicholas Evans, has helped a top TV personality to uncover her roots.

Dr Evans appears on tonight’s edition of hit BBC show ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ to assist actress Alex Kingston, star of Dr Who, Upstairs Downstairs and ER. 

Although she now spends most of her time in the United States, Alex Kingston's family originated from the West End of London.

< Dr Nick Evans

“In the programme I help confirm a long-held view by Alex that she is of Jewish immigrant ancestry who worked their way out of poverty in the East End using a range of ‘entrepreneurial’ skills,” said Dr Evans, an expert in Jewish migrant history.

“It was brilliant to be able to share with Alex some of the findings from my research. She was very personable and loved the fruits of my delve into the archives.”

The researchers on the programme needed assistance with researching both Alex’s Jewish ancestry and their later involvement in the Victorian underworld. Dr Evans added that it has been hard not to reveal ‘what happened next’.

‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ has now reached its ninth series and this most recent appearance with Alex Kingston is the latest in over two dozen episodes that Dr Evans has provided his expertise, including versions for US and South African editions of the programme. He has also appeared in the BBC series Coast.