Natural History

The five-part series will be narrated by Attenborough and will use state of the art technology combined with rigorous scientific research to transport viewers back in time. 

The documentary will look back 66 million years to the ancient world and reveal the different habitats of Earth and the dinosaurs that populated them.

An original score has been composed by Hans Zimmer, and the stories will be told against the landscapes of the Cretaceous times, spanning coasts, deserts, freshwater, ice worlds and forests. 

The announcement comes amid the landmark COP26 conference and, said the BBC, will reinforce the broadcaster’s commitment to highlighting the science of life on earth and the state of the natural world.

Asia

In Asia, BBC One visits the biggest continent on Earth to showcase the extraordinary variety of its landscapes and wildlife.

Just three days into 2021, the BBC secured its first big hitter of the year: A Perfect Planet, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, drew in 6.2 million viewers. That’s on a par with previous series premieres such as Seven Worlds, One Planet (6.8 million), Dynasties (5.7 million viewers) and Blue Planet II (10.4 million).

Featuring an original score from composer Ilan Eshkeri, the prequel introduces the forces of nature supporting life on Earth that the series will explore.

Eshkeri said: “Composing the music for A Perfect Planet has also been enormously challenging - not least because of the unprecedented logistical issues of trying to record an orchestra during the lockdown!

“I’m grateful to everyone at the BBC and Silverback who supported me and the ideas I threw at them and I hope my music can play a small part in helping to inspire change.”

The three-part series will follow the work of wildlife vet Jimmy Desmond and his wife Jenny, who run a home for orphaned baby chimpanzees.

Starting with just two baby chimps rescued from the illegal pet trade, the Desmonds now house and care for 21 orphans.

Sharing close quarters with a pack of adopted dogs, the baby chimps cause mischief with their new adopted animal siblings. 

This is the first investment Sky Studios has made, which is part of Sky’s plan to invest in more than double the original content across a range of genres over the next five years.

Founded in 2016 by Dr Wendy Drake, former head of the BBC natural history unit, TTN has produced a range of natural history series, including Dave’s ten-part series Expedition and BBC’s Undiscovered World with Steve Backshall.

Blue Planet UK, presented by Springwatch’s Gillian Burke and Countryfile’s Steve Brown with Chris Packham, deals with British marine life and makes its debut on BBC One in March.

It will be made by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit and provide a “health check of our seas”.

In common with Blue Planet II it highlights plastic pollution. The series will offer “practical solutions for how to get involved across the country and tackle plastic pollution”.