The Band - Series 4
3 x 29' - BBC ONE NI (2026)
The popular series returns to mark USA 250 as The Band explores the stories of people who emigrated from Northern Ireland to America and Canada and found friendship and belonging through their passion for bands.
Filmed on location in Norfolk, Virginia, Philadelphia, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, the new series explores themes such as emigration, family, heritage, culture and identity through revealing personal stories.
The Band is made by DoubleBand Films for BBC Northern Ireland with funding from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund.
Episode 1
In this first episode Danielle explains why she moved from Cookstown to Philadelphia, Jemma and Stephen reveal how they have settled into their new lives in Vancouver, and Bethany, whose grandfather emigrated from Belfast to Ottawa, plays her pipes on stage with a local punk band.
Episode 2
Lorna from Ballymoney travels to America for the first time to take part in the prestigious Virginia International Tattoo, Andrew from Ballygowan competes with his band in the North American Pipe Band Championships, and Rod from Winnipeg traces his Ulster-Scots ancestry on a visit to Northern Ireland.
Episode 3
In the final episode Ed from Belfast tells how he met his wife Violet in Canada through the Ulster Accordion Band, Gordon and his family travel from Omagh take part in Toronto’s 12th of July parade, and Glenn from East Belfast reveals his connection with Canada.
