Ken Burns presents his first non-US documentary with “Leonardo da Vinci”, a two-parter celebrating the incredible legacy of the Italian polymath and painter on PBS from Monday, November 18. Follow our guide below for how to watch “Leonardo da Vinci” online for free. Traveling outside the U.S.? Simply download a VPN to stream the documentary movie from anywhere.
“Leonardo da Vinci” part 1 will premiere on Monday, November 18 at 7 p.m. on Nine PBS, with part 2 following the next day in the same timeslot.
• FREE STREAM — PBS.org (U.S., CAN)
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Directed by the Oscar-nominated Burns (1985’s “The Statue of Liberty”, 1994’s “Baseball”), and providing baritone-voiced narration from Keith Davis (2021’s “Muhammed Ali”), “Leonardo da Vinci” transports us back to 15th century Italy to explore da Vinci’s trail-blazing genius.
Best known as the painter of the Mona Lisa, his vast treasury of notebooks are poured over here: evidence of his prodigious investigations into the sciences, architecture, philosophy, and engineering too. He’s even credited with providing the first description of coronary atherosclerosis.
The documentary will chart his apprenticeship in Florence, Italy, in Part 1, “The Disciple of Experience”, before exploring his monumental contributions to a range of disciplines in “Painter-God”, interweaving primary accounts of his life and on-camera interviews with modern scholars, artists, and admirers. The series’ split screen approach reiterates the outsized impact of the artist's work: contextualising his achievements through the juxtaposition of video, sound, and images across multiple time periods.
Get ready to be inspired by the life of a genius. Read our guide below for how to watch “Leonardo da Vinci” online now, live and on-demand through PBS.org.
How to watch ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ online for FREE in the U.S.
Watch PBS when abroad
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching “Leonardo da Vinci” on PBS?
Luckily, you can still watch “Leonardo da Vinci” online thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are in the world. So it’s ideal for viewers out of the country looking to join in the fun. Our favourite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.K. and want to view your usual U.S. service, you'd select U.S. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to PBS.org and stream "Leonardo da Vinci" online.
Watch 'Leonardo da Vinci' around the world
How to watch ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ online free in Canada
In Canada, Ken Burn’s extraordinary doc is also available through your local PBS station. “Leonardo da Vinci” will air in two parts, on Monday, November 18 and Tuesday, November 19, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. For cord-cutters, PBS.org is the place to go to stream both episodes, free of charge.
For extended access to PBS content, consider getting PBS Passport. That’ll provide access to a range of the network’s channels, like PBS Life and PBS Masterpiece. Membership costs a suggested donation of CA$5 per month, although prices will alter depending on your local station.
Currently away from home? Download a VPN and connect to the services you enjoy free-of-charge back home, without having to register for any additional subscriptions.
Can I watch ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ online in the U.K?
The bad news? U.K viewers will have to wait to watch the new “Leonardo da Vinci” documentary. However, things are looking up because it’s been acquired for broadcast by the BBC, so it should be shown on one of the network’s linear channels in the near future, and available to stream on BBC iPlayer for free.
NB: If you’re an American citizen away from the U.S. right now, a VPN will allow you to stream “Leonardo da Vinci” online through the PBS website just as you would back home.
Can I watch ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ online in Australia?
It doesn’t seem as if Aussies viewers will be able to watch “Leonardo da Vinci” anytime soon, with no word if it getting a distributor Down Under. However, should that change, we’ll be sure to provide the latest details here.
Out of the country? Connect to your home streaming services when you download a VPN, and watch your favorite TV shows and films no matter where you are in the world.
‘Leonardo da Vinci’ trailer
‘Leonardo da Vinci’ episode guide
- “Leonardo da Vinci” episode 1: Monday, November 18
- “Leonardo da Vinci” episode 2: Tuesday, November 19
When will ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ air on TV?
In the U.S. and Canada, ‘”Leonardo da Vinci” will air in two parts: beginning on Monday, November 18, and with the second and concluding instalment on Tuesday, November 19.
Where can I watch Ken Burns’ documentary?
“Leonardo da Vinci” will air on PBS in the U.S. and Canada. It’s been picked up by the BBC in the U.K., but as of yet, no broadcast date has been announced.
