rewrite this title Hearst Networks Commissions AI-Led Time Travel Series From Tilly Norwood Creator Particle6

Particle6, the UK-based production company founded by Tilly Norwood creator Eline van der Velden, has been commissioned to make a new AI-led series from Hearst Networks. 

Streets of the Past (Straten van Toen), is a 10-episode, short-form history series commissioned for The History Channel in the Netherlands. It will see Dutch historical investigator, author and reality star Corjan Mol (The Curse of Oak Island) transported back in time, with the help of AI, to tell compelling stories associated with some of the Netherlands’ most famous streets, squares and canal sides. 

Featured episodes include a focus on Rokin in Amsterdam, today a busy shopping street, but in the 17th century it was home to the world’s first stock exchange; and Janskerhof in Utrech, now a flower market and student square but a center of Dutch Resistance in World War II. 

In each episode, Corjan Mol will start on location and visit the modern-day street. As the story of its important moment in history unfolds, AI will help Mol step back in time and join the action in a cameo role. Each immersive historical scene will be created by AI using archival materials – such as paintings, engravings or photos – to ensure accuracy and Particle6 will use both real historical characters and imagined ones to convey key facts through real stories about events in the Netherlands at this time. 

The real Corjan Mol closes each episode with a reflection about what that moment meant for Dutch history and how its legacy still shapes the Netherlands and Dutch people today. 

“While we have been using AI behind the scenes in our productions for some time now, in areas like research and post, this is our first series where AI is majorly deployed on screen, all carefully guided by humans of course,” said Van der Velden. “And, as we always knew it would when technology allowed, it has proved the perfect creative partner, enabling us to seamlessly blend live-action footage of the Netherlands today with AI scends from the same locations in the past, to deliver incredible, cinematic images that could provide a blueprint for the history formats of the future.

“We are delighted that Straten van Toen allows us to continue our relationship with Hearst Networks. Not only is the team collaborative, but they are also very forward-thinking and were fully supportive of us experimenting with AI in a history series, ahead of it being adopted in other genres. Also, being Dutch, it proved especially significant that our first exploration of using AI to bring the past to life in this way was with a subject so close to my heart.” 

Sam Pearson, Head of Short Form Commissioning at Hearst Networks added: “Eline and the team at Particle6 have once again created a smart and entertaining factual series for us, but this time with the addition of incredible backdrops and characters brought to life using AI. The end result promises to immerse our audience in historical scenes and stories at the heart of history, and we cannot wait to see their reactions.

“We are excited to be embracing AI and the opportunities it presents our business and our viewers. We will continue to explore its potential with ethical partners such as Particle6, using it thoughtfully, with clear guardrails and principles, while all the time being transparent with our audiences and sharing when they are watching AI-generated content.” 

Straten van Toen will be made available on The History Channel in the Netherlands in January, as well as its SVoD/BVoD platforms and social media such as Facebook and Instagram as well as YouTube. 

This latest commission follows the January 2025 launch of Particle6’s True Crime Secrets on Hearst Networks’ SVoD Crime+Investigation Play, and the September 2025 launch of Two Sides of History on Sky History HISTORY. Both shows were also made available on other Hearst Networks VoD/SVoD platforms, as well as YouTube and other social media platforms.