The BBC has confirmed that Hans Zimmer and Jade Thirlwall have teamed up for an original song on Blue Planet III, the much-anticipated follow-up to the landmark nature series. The track, titled “Into the Deep (Seas Cry),” was unveiled on Tuesday and received its first-ever public play on BBC Radio 1.
The song is part of a series of six hour-long episodes for BBC One, iPlayer and BBC America, produced by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit. The series is narrated by David Attenborough, who turned 100 earlier this year.
Zimmer and Thirlwall Join Forces
Zimmer and Thirlwall wrote the song alongside Thom Lukas of Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music team. The track was created specifically for Blue Planet III, which returns 25 years after the original series captured audiences worldwide.
Thirlwall, formerly of Little Mix, is known professionally as simply Jade.
A Decade of Collaborations
The collaboration continues a long-running creative partnership between Zimmer, Bleeding Fingers and BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit. That partnership has previously paired Zimmer with some of the world’s biggest recording artists on nature-themed projects.
- Radiohead contributed to Blue Planet II
- Sia has worked on previous installments
- Raye has collaborated with the unit
- Camila Cabello has contributed original music
- Seventeen has also been involved
Jade’s Statement on the Track
Jade spoke about the project in a statement, calling it a career highlight. “I’ve been a huge fan of Blue Planet for many years and have so many memories of watching the show throughout both childhood and adulthood,” she said.
She also praised the narrator directly. “Sir David Attenborough is a true hero of mine. Being part of Blue Planet III in this way feels incredibly special and a real privilege.”
Her pride in the final product was clear. “I’m so proud of Into the Deep (Seas Cry), and it was amazing to create it with Hans Zimmer and his team.”
The Song’s Subject and Its Premiere
The title itself points to the documentary’s subject. “Into the Deep (Seas Cry)” references the ocean and the creatures that live within it, a fitting theme for a series that explores marine life.
Lukas described the process behind the track. “Blue Planet III offered an extraordinary opportunity to explore and translate the depths of the ocean through an expansive sonic lens,” he said.
He explained the team’s approach. “Working with Jade, we set out to capture the brilliant light, deep shadows and intense emotional gravity of life beneath the waves.”
The song’s first broadcast came on Tuesday, when it received its first-ever public play on BBC Radio 1. Jade’s social media accounts also shared the news of the premiere, with one post telling fans: “The vocals are insane!”
The premiere on Radio 1 is a notable choice. It gives the track a mainstream platform before the series even airs.
A Long Road to Production
The BBC Studios Natural History Unit spent about four and a half years putting together the highly anticipated return to the world’s oceans. That extended timeline reflects the scale of the production.
The series is set to premiere later this year.
Source material: “Hans Zimmer, Jade Thirlwall Team on BBC’s ‘Blue Planet III’ Song “Into the Deep (Seas Cry)”,” The Hollywood Reporter.
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