David Attenborough explores UK wildlife in new series ‘Wild Isles’
A brand new BBC natural history series from Sir David Attenborough is on the way!
Filmed over three years, Wild Isles uses the very latest technology to capture the previously unseen wild side of the British Isles.
The five-part series has been co-produced by The Open University, the RSPB and WWF.
Featuring everything from battling butterflies to hunting sea eagles and killer whales, we’re told that Wild Isles “aims to do for the wildlife of Britain and Ireland what the Planet series have done for the wildlife of the world.”
Explaining why he wanted to make Wild Isles, executive producer Alastair Fothergill said: “I have always wanted to make a landmark series that really does justice to our own extraordinary wildlife. I am sure people will be amazed at what is happening right on their own doorstep.”
Dr Philip Wheeler, Senior Lecturer in Ecology at The Open University, added: “We are so used to seeing exotic places and species on wildlife documentaries that it is brilliant to see the wildlife of the British Isles presented in this way.
“Wild Isles shows how nature closer to home has amazing stories to tell and it is a real privilege to be able to contribute academic expertise from the OU to the series. I hope the public interest this series generates will give wildlife in Britain and Ireland the boost it urgently needs.”
The five part series will open with an introductory episode, explaining why Britain and Ireland are globally important for nature, before the following four episodes celebrate the four key habitats of the British Isles: woodlands, grasslands, freshwater and marine.
Sir David Attenborough recently celebrated his 96th birthday, and the national treasure shows no signs of slowing down!
Discussing this latest series, he commented: “In my long lifetime, I have travelled to almost every corner of our planet. I can assure you that in the British Isles, as well as astonishing scenery there are extraordinary animal dramas and wildlife spectacles to match anything I have seen on my global travels.”
Featuring stunning aerial photography in ultra-high definition, Wild Isles has been filmed in locations all around the country, including Northumberland, Cambridgeshire, the Cairngorms, Cornwall, Ireland, Wiltshire, and Dorset.
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of WWF, told the BBC: “The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world – we need to change that. Our aim is that this stunning series featuring some of our best loved species will inspire people to take action to safeguard and restore nature for future generations.”
Wild Isles is expected to premiere in the UK on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer in 2023.
A broadcaster in the US hasn’t yet been confirmed, but hopefully it’ll be shown on PBS as The Green Planet was.
The Blue Planet complete collection is available on DVD on Amazon.