WATCH THE ANIMATED LIVES OF HISTORY’S LEGENDARY LONDONERS

Amazing human stories from London’s past - animated!

Legendary Londoners is a brand-new collection from the acclaimed 1000 Londoners project, offering a fresh take on London history through short, animated films. While the original 1000 Londoners films capture the lives of living Londoners in three-minute snapshots, this exciting new series dives into the past—uncovering the fascinating, often forgotten stories of historical Londoners who shaped the city in diverse and unexpected ways.

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  • Mrs G Duncan: London’s First Female Bus Conductor
    22/08/2025

    Mrs G Duncan: London’s First Female Bus Conductor

    In 1915, Mrs G Duncan became London’s first female bus conductor, taking charge of the No. 3 route from Peckham to Putney. This 3-minute animation, created by children at Nine Elms Studio with Chocolate Films Workshops, brings her trailblazing WWI story to life.

  • Clapham Junction’s Aviation Secret: Hilda Hewlett’s Factory Story
    07/08/2025

    Clapham Junction’s Aviation Secret: Hilda Hewlett’s Factory Story

    This short animation tells the remarkable true story of Hilda Hewlett, Britain’s first licensed female pilot and the pioneering aeroplane factory she co-founded in Battersea.

  • The Scream Queen from Battersea: Elsa Lanchester’s Untold Story
    31/07/2025

    The Scream Queen from Battersea: Elsa Lanchester’s Untold Story

    The Bride of Frankenstein is one of cinema’s most enduring images, but did you know that the actress, Elsa Lanchester, was born and brought up in a feminist household in Battersea, London. Watch the film to find out more.

  • John Blanke: The only known Black Tudor depicted in art
    30/07/2025

    John Blanke: The only known Black Tudor depicted in art

    Step back into Tudor England and meet John Blanke, a Black trumpeter who played for Henry VII and Henry VIII. He’s one of the earliest recorded Black people in Britain – and the only known Black Tudor ever depicted in art. This 3-minute animated film, created by children aged 8–12 with Chocolate Films Workshops, tells the extraordinary story of John Blanke’s life at the Tudor court.

CHOCOLATE FILMS ANIMATION

Each film in Legendary Londoners is like a miniature, moving exhibit—an online museum celebrating the extraordinary individuals who helped make London the global city it is today. From hidden heroes and pioneering women to trailblazing migrants and cultural icons, these stories showcase the richness and diversity of the capital’s history. This is more than just a film series—it's a celebration of Londoners in all their forms. And we want you to be part of it. Do you know a captivating character from London’s past whose story deserves to be told? We're inviting suggestions from the public to help uncover more hidden gems of London history.

The films are produced by the talented animation team at Chocolate Films. Check out their work!

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Legendary Londoners: Young Creators Bring History to Life
Legendary Londoners: Young Creators Bring History to Life

A group of talented young filmmakers produced our latest two films in our animated Londoners collection. Check out how they were made!

London in the Air - Films about Londoners and Flying
London in the Air - Films about Londoners and Flying

1000 Londoners has looked at flying in London from many perspectives: Britain’s first female pilot, to a barmaid fighting Heathrow’s expansion and a plane spotter who can tell a Boeing from an Airbus at 500 yards. Three Londoners, three views of the same sky.

Ranking the Greatest Film Roles of Londoner Elsa Lanchester
Ranking the Greatest Film Roles of Londoner Elsa Lanchester

Elsa Lanchester was always the most interesting person on screen—usually eccentric, often terrifying, and never, ever dull. So let’s raise a teacup (or something stronger) to this remarkable Londoner, as we rank her greatest film roles. Prepare for wigs, winks, and one particularly famous hiss.