Meerkat: A Dynasties Special follows on from the award-winning 2018 series, Dynasties, and once again sees Sir David Attenborough narrate the dramatic story of a vulnerable species.

In one of the harshest environments on Earth, a young meerkat queen, Maghogho, is struggling to establish her dynasty.

The Makadikadi salt pans of Botswana are so hot and dry that almost no life can survive, yet it is there that Maghogho must raise her pups.

To succeed she will need to unite her whole family to face the toughest of dry seasons and dust storms, and fight off the bitterest of rivals.

Mike Gunton, Creative Director and Executive Producer at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, said: “Dynasties is back this festive season with a story like no other. Follow the twisting and turning tale of Maghogho and her clan and find yourself on the edge of your seat as they strive to battle both the elements and their enemies.

“This special shows viewers a whole new side to meerkats, and demonstrates the power of family unity through hardship.”

Penguins: Meet the Family introduces every single species of the much loved bird.

Narrated by Liz Bonnin, the special will transport viewers to the disparate habitats of penguins across several continents, from dense forests to city streets, from the Equator to Antarctica.

Among the sights are Emperor penguin chicks taking their first steps, King penguins moulting for a new outfit, and new satellite imagery revealing never-before-seen colonies.

Doug Mackay-Hope, Executive Producer at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, said: “What I love about this show is that many of us feel we know penguins and yet if asked, most have no idea that there are 18 different varieties out there.

“From the striking Snares penguin with its punk hairstyle, to the Little penguin with its blue feathers. In Penguins: Meet the Family we celebrate all of them for the first time.”

Meerkat: A Dynasties Special and Penguins: Meet the Family will air on BBC One this festive season.