Josh Gates Challenges History with All-New ‘Expedition Files’

History is rarely as settled as the textbooks suggest. This April, world-renowned explorer and storyteller Josh Gates returns to the front lines of the unknown with a brand-new season of EXPEDITION FILES. Premiering Wednesday, April 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel, the series promises to dismantle long-held narratives and offer “pulse-pounding” new evidence behind some of the world’s most enduring enigmas.

Known for his ability to blend rigorous research with high-stakes adventure, Gates is stepping away from the traditional treasure hunt to dive into the deep archives of conspiracy and controversy. From the halls of the American Revolution to the frozen peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the upcoming season aims to prove that the past still holds plenty of secrets.

The Assassin Who Got Away?

The season premiere kicks off with a triptych of American mysteries, headlined by a provocative re-examination of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth. While history books record Booth’s death at a tobacco barn in Virginia, Gates explores a shocking counter-theory suggesting the actor-turned-murderer may have evaded justice, living out a stranger fate than the public ever realized.

The premiere also dives into the murky depths of the Cold War to investigate the disappearance of the USS Scorpion. The American Navy submarine vanished without a trace in 1968, and Gates brings fresh perspective to what really happened to the vessel and its crew. Rounding out the episode is a look at the “myth-busting truth” behind Paul Revere’s midnight ride—revealing that the legendary gallop might not have happened exactly as the poems describe.

Biblical Floods and Frozen Pioneers

As the season progresses, Gates expands his scope across the globe and through the millennia. One of the most anticipated segments takes viewers to the mountains of Turkey, where startling new archaeological discoveries have reignited the debate over the historical reality of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood.

Closer to home, Gates retraces the harrowing final days of the Donner Party. By examining new evidence from their frozen encampment in the Sierra Nevada, the show offers a chilling look at the desperation and survival instincts of the ill-fated pioneers.

From Psychic Spies to Mob Hits

The new season doesn’t shy away from the strange or the sinister. In a series of investigative “declassifications,” Gates explores:

• Cold War Relics: Unearthing secrets from a top-secret missile base emerging from the melting Arctic ice.

• The “Stargate” Reality: Probing the truth behind the U.S. government’s secret psychic spy program.

• Mob Betrayal: Uncovering the long-buried details behind the assassination of legendary mob boss Bugsy Siegel.

• The Templar Frame-Up: Analyzing evidence that suggests the powerful Knights Templar were victims of a medieval political “hit job” rather than actual heresy.

A Modern Twist on Ancient Tales

The series also promises a deep dive into the real-life inspirations for gothic horror, specifically the “bloodcurdling” evidence surrounding the death of the historical Dracula (Vlad the Impaler), and the elusive origins of the 2001 Anthrax attacks that terrorized a post-9/11 America.

Produced by Ping Pong Productions, Expedition Files remains a cornerstone of Discovery’s “Mystery Wednesday” lineup. Gates’ return signals a shift toward “provocative new theories” that challenge the mainstream narrative, inviting viewers to participate in the investigation via social media using #ExpeditionFiles.

In a world where facts are often debated, Gates reminds his audience that the only way to find the truth is to keep digging.