The Blue Planet, the first ever natural history series to give a comprehensive overview of the world’s oceans, was broadcast across the globe 25 years ago.
In 2017, Blue Planet II galvanised a global movement to rid our oceans of single use plastic and revolutionised our perception of life in our oceans. But this was only the beginning…
BBC Specialist Factual is delighted to announce that Sir David Attenborough will provide the narration for the forthcoming Blue Planet III, a 6×60’ series for BBC One, iPlayer and BBC AMERICA from BBC Studios Natural History Unit, which will take the wonder, immersion, and discovery of the Blue Planet brand to extraordinary new depths.
Jack Bootle, BBC Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning, says: “I’m thrilled that David is taking the helm of Blue Planet once again. His extraordinary talent for storytelling has shaped the way generations of audiences understand and connect with the natural world, and his voice remains synonymous with the very best of the BBC’s natural history output. I’m absolutely delighted that he’ll be once more bringing his unique skill and authority to Blue Planet III.”
Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, says: “We are so excited to have David narrate this new blockbuster series. It’s full of never-before-seen animal behaviour, new locations, new science, and heartfelt storytelling. David is the perfect voice to inspire audiences across the globe to love, understand and protect the oceans.”
Dr Philip Sexton, an Oceanographer in The School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences at The Open University and academic consultant on the series, says: “The Open University is tremendously pleased to partner with the BBC on this third series of Blue Planet and to have Sir David at the helm once again.
“Blue Planet II catapulted issues surrounding our oceans’ health into the public consciousness and demonstrably changed people’s attitudes and behaviour with regard to our oceans. Underpinned by breakthroughs in marine science and cutting-edge technology, this new series will transform our view of what is possible for life on Earth and offer rays of hope for us to conserve the ecological wonders that lie beneath the waves.”
This brand new series will build on the groundbreaking legacy of the previous two series, redefining the realm of possibility in underwater wildlife film-making.
It will reveal brand new and untold stories from magical underwater worlds. Combining our deeper understanding of the oceans with a whole new generation of camera technology including splash drones, long-term remote underwater cameras and a ‘mini dome’, we can now showcase stunning stories and extraordinary behaviours, previously impossible to film or only recently discovered.
Where Blue Planet II exposed the threats to our oceans, Blue Planet III will also explore stories of adaptation and resilience in this changing world, along with stories of hope and recovery. The series will focus on the planet’s five key underwater habitats: Tropical Seas; Open Ocean; Seasonal Seas; Polar Waters and The Deep.
In the sixth and final episode we turn to the future of our seas and explore what we need to do to protect them in Future Seas.
Blue Planet III, a 6×60’ series is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production, in partnership with The Open University for BBC One, iPlayer and BBC AMERICA co-produced with ZDF and France Télévisions in association with Skai Greece.
It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and the Commissioning Editor is Tom Watt-Smith, BBC Head of Natural History. The Executive Producer is Elizabeth White. Series Producers are Lara Bickerton and James Brickell, Matt Cotton is the Line Producer and Dulcie Arnold is the Production Executive. BBC Studios will handle global distribution.
Blue Planet III will be available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer later this year.
FS
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