BBC announces three brand new nature documentary series

Nobody else makes nature shows like the BBC!

Following on from last year’s Frozen Planet II, Green Planet, and Our Changing Planet, this week the BBC has announced three new series heading to our TV screens in 2023.

BBC Studios Natural History Unit will be bringing us Mammals, Wild Scandinavia, and Big Little Journeys.

Jonny Keeling, head of the Natural History Unit, commented: “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.”

We’re particularly excited about Big Little Journeys, which follows the real-life adventures of six tiny animals as they voyage into the unknown!

The BBC’s Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual, Jack Bootle said: “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.”

We’ve got more details on the three series here:

Mammals

Full of “new, never-before-seen behaviours,” this six-part series will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, and BBC America in the US.

The official synopsis reads: “Mammals are found on every continent and in every ocean, from the coldest wildernesses to the hottest deserts, from the densest jungles to the darkest depths, this group of animals has evolved to master almost every habitat on our planet.

“From the tiny Etruscan shrew to the giant blue whale, Mammals will reveal the secrets of their success, and how their winning design, incredible adaptability, unrivalled intelligence and unique sociability have all contributed to their remarkable rise.

“Just 4% of today’s mammals are wild animals and many species face extinction. As well as giving BBC viewers an exciting new perspective on a remarkable group of animals, the series will also highlight many of the problems faced by mammals in today’s rapidly changing world.”

Wild Scandinavia

Premiering on BBC Two and iPlayer in the UK, and on PBS in the US, each of these three episodes will explore a different captivating natural world – the hauntingly beautiful coast, the magical seasonal forests, and the volcanic and arctic extremes.

Wild Scandinavia is narrated by Anglo-Swedish actor Rebecca Ferguson (Dune, Mission: Impossible), telling surprising wildlife stories of lynx, puffins, orca and wolves, alongside the experiences of the extraordinary people living in and devoted to exploring this icy wilderness.

We’re told to expect “breath-taking imagery reveals stories of survival, from the epic Norwegian Arctic, through mythic Swedish and Finnish forests, across vast Danish tidal shores and around erupting Icelandic volcanoes.”

Big Little Journeys

Also coming to BBC Two and iPlayer in the UK, and to PBS in the US, this three-part series will follow six tiny animals as they travel across rainforests, mountains and wetlands.

Big Little Journeys makes use of immersive camera systems, surveillance technology, and probe and borescope lenses that shrink the lens down to give a small animal’s view of the world!

The synopsis tells us: “The cast of animals includes a family of endangered golden-headed lion tamarins in Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, the peculiar Madagascan Labord’s chameleon with an extremely short life span of only six months, and in Taiwan, the rare Formosan pangolin – the world’s most trafficked animal.

“Against the odds, these animals overcome huge obstacles, giant predators, and natural disasters in their quest for food, family and survival.

“Working with scientists and conservationists around the world, Big Little Journeys captures the dramatic adventures faced by these tiny but mighty creatures.”

The Blue Planet complete collection is available on DVD.