Hearst Networks commissions AI-led series from Particle6
November 17, 2025
Particle6, the UK-based, AI-powered production company founded by Eline van der Velden, has announced a new series commission from Hearst Networks.
Straten van Toen (‘Streets of the Past‘) is a 10-episode, short-form history series, commissioned for The History Channel in the Netherlands, that sees Dutch historical investigator, author and reality star Corjan Mol transported back in time, with the help of AI, to tell the stories associated with some of the Netherland’s 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 Janskerkhof in Utrecht, now a flower market and student square but a centre of Dutch Resistance during World War 2.
In each episode, CMol 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.
Van der Velden commented: “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! And, as we always knew it would when the technology allowed, it has proved the perfect creative partner, enabling us to seamlessly blend live-action footage of the Netherlands today with AI scenes 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 VoD platforms and social media such as Facebook and Instagram as well as YouTube.
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