Joanna Page, much loved for her role as Stacey in Gavin & Stacey, trades the sitcom suburbs for the wilds of a wildlife rescue center in her new series. This premiere finds her knee-deep in the less glamorous aspects of animal care, from feeding baby badgers to overseeing the soft release of fox cubs.
Page’s enthusiasm is evident. Her training involves a test in the fox cub pen, a scenario ripe for comedic mishaps. The challenge, apparently, is resisting the urge to cuddle the animals, lest they imprint on her and become too accustomed to human contact. This raises the age-old question of nature documentaries: is the human presence helping or hindering the animals?
While the series undoubtedly aims to educate viewers about wildlife rehabilitation, the focus seems squarely on Page’s experience. Will she conquer her squeamishness and become a proficient wildlife caregiver? Or will she remain the charmingly clumsy observer, providing comic relief amid the serious work of animal rescue?
Joanna Page’s Wild Life airs Monday, January 6, 2025, at 6:30 PM on BBC Two.
