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Hearst Networks Orders AI-Led ‘Straten van Toen’ From Particle6 for The History Channel Netherlands

The commission marks Particle6’s first series with significant on-screen AI guided by human oversight.

Overview

  • The 10-episode short-form series stars Dutch historical investigator Corjan Mol, who is digitally placed into past events tied to notable streets and squares.
  • Each episode blends present-day location filming with AI-created reconstructions built from archival materials such as paintings, engravings and photographs.
  • Planned stories include Amsterdam’s Rokin, linked to the world’s first stock exchange, and Utrecht’s Janskerkhof, associated with Dutch Resistance activity in World War II.
  • Hearst says it will apply clear guardrails and transparency around AI-generated content, with release slated for January on the channel, its on-demand services and major social platforms.
  • Founder Eline van der Velden describes the show as Particle6’s first major on-screen AI deployment following earlier attention over the synthetic character Tilly Norwood.