Three New Natural History Commissions for BBC Factual

New series from BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit are being released on BBC One, BBC Two, and the iPlayer, as announced by BBC Factual today. Mammals, which includes everything from cats to apes, are the most numerous animal group on Earth; Big Little Journeys, which chronicles the real-life adventures of six small animals as they venture into the unknown; and Wild Scandinavia, which focuses on the spectacular wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and distinctive culture of Europe’s far northern regions.

Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, says: “2022 was a brilliant year for Natural History on the BBC: Frozen Planet II became the highest rating factual show of the year, the daringly innovative Green Planet won a series of major awards, and Our Changing Planet spoke to millions of viewers about the impacts of climate change across the globe. Now, with Mammals, Big Little Journeys and Wild Scandinavia, the world-famous Natural History Unit continues to push at the boundaries of what’s possible in wildlife filmmaking. The arrival of game-changing technology combined with exciting new storytelling techniques means this genre has never felt more confident, creative and ambitious. I’m proud that the BBC continues to be the home of Natural History, and I know viewers are going to fall in love with these series as soon as they see them.”

Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, says: “We are thrilled to be bringing three original series to BBC television, in collaboration with our co-production partners. With compelling new stories and new behaviours in Mammals, fresh and different perspectives of the tiniest animals in Big Little Journeys, and spectacular landscapes in Wild Scandinavia – collectively they showcase the creative range of emotional and innovative natural history programmes we are proud to be making at the NHU.”

Mammals

Mammals can be found on every continent and in every ocean; they have adapted to survive in the harshest of environments, from the icy tundra to the scorching sands of the desert and the deepest of the ocean’s jungles.

This definitive series for BBC One and iPlayer is packed with unique and never-before-seen behaviors, providing interesting new perspectives on the most successful animal group on Earth. The success of mammals, from the smallest Etruscan shrew to the largest blue whale, can be traced back to their superior design, tremendous adaptability, unrivaled intelligence, and one-of-a-kind sociality, all of which are explored in Mammals.

There are just about 4% of mammal species left in the wild. The series will not only provide BBC viewers with fascinating new information about an amazing group of species, but it will also shed light on many of the issues that mammals are facing in today’s ever-evolving environment.

Mammals, a 6 x 60’ series for BBC One and iPlayer, is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by France Televisions, ZDF and BBC America. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and Sreya Biswas, Head of Natural History, BBC Commissioning. The Executive Producer is Roger Webb and the Series Producer is Scott Alexander.

Big Little Journeys

The three-part BBC Two and iPlayer series Great Little Travels follows six diminutive creatures as they traverse jungles, mountains, and swamps.

The endangered golden-headed lion tamarins of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest make an appearance, as does the odd Madagascan Labord’s chameleon, which only lives for about six months, and the uncommon Formosan pangolin, the most traded species in the world, from Taiwan. In their relentless pursuit of food, family, and survival, these animals have triumphed against enormous hurdles, big predators, and catastrophic disasters.

Big Little Travels, produced in collaboration with researchers and environmentalists from around the world, follows the amazing journeys taken by these diminutive but formidable species. Little animals’ adventures in the field are captured with the same cinematic flair as larger creatures thanks to the show’s use of immersive camera systems, surveillance technology, and probe and borescope lenses that reduce the lens down to give a small animal’s vision of the world.

Big Little Journeys, a 3 x 60’ series for BBC Two and iPlayer, is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Rosemary Edwards and the Series Producer is Paul Williams. The Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas.

Wild Scandinavia

Brand new for BBC Two and iPlayer is the three-part series Wild Scandinavia.

The world of the Norse Gods, including Odin and Thor, will come alive on this brand-new series. The eerie beauty of the seashore, the enchantment of the changing seasons in the forest, and the extremes of the volcano and the arctic are just some of the enthralling natural environments explored in these films.

The astonishing tales of lynx, puffins, orca, and wolves, narrated by Anglo-Swedish actor Rebecca Ferguson (Dune; Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation), are presented alongside the experiences of the unusual people who live in and dedicate themselves to exploring this frozen wilderness.

From the legendary Norwegian North through the mythical woodlands of Sweden and Finland, over the huge tidal coasts of Denmark, and around the erupting volcanoes of Iceland, breathtaking cinematography tells stories of survival.

Wild Scandinavia, a 3 x 60’ series for BBC Two and iPlayer, is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS and Sveriges Television (SVT). It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Rosemary Edwards and the Series Producer and Director is Tuppence Stone. The Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas. Diana El-Osta is the executive in charge for PBS. Mikael Osterby, Head of Factual, is the executive in charge for SVT.

BBCS is handling international distribution and will present Mammals, Big Little Journeys and Wild Scandinavia to international customers at BBC Studios Showcase taking place on 27 and 28 February 2023.

Image Credit: BBC