National Geographic’s next big wildlife series finally has a trailer, and it comes with a premiere date. Africa: Earth’s Wild Home debuts Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on the National Geographic Channel, with streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively unveiled the trailer for the seven-part series. It marks the first time the black rain frog — an elusive amphibian — has been captured on camera for television. The series also filmed hyenas in the Congo hunting elephants at night, plus footage of a rare wild African black panther and chimpanzees using unique tools to fish for algae.
What the Series Covers
Africa: Earth’s Wild Home uses “cutting-edge CGI to unearth the deep history and forces that shaped Africa’s natural worlds,” according to Nat Geo. The series took four years to film across nearly 30 countries.
The show is the start of what the cable network calls an “ambitious multi-year franchise that will document our planet continent by continent, at a moment when that planet is changing faster than ever.”
Each episode ends with an “Explorer Spotlight” featuring the scientists and photographers behind the discoveries.
The People Behind It
Wunmi Mosaku — known for Sinners, Loki and Lovecraft Country — executive produced and narrated the series. The show is presented by Rolex.
Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic, praised the series in a statement.
“Africa is home to some of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife and dramatic landscapes, and Africa: Earth’s Wild Home captures them through breathtaking, blue-chip landmark natural history storytelling,” Monroe said. “Across seven extraordinary episodes, the series reveals never-before-seen behaviors, explores the forces that shaped the continent and celebrates the remarkable ways life adapts and thrives. It also shines a light on the National Geographic Explorers, scientists and conservationists whose groundbreaking work continues to deepen our understanding of Africa and help safeguard its wild future.”
The Explorer Spotlight
The “Explorer Spotlight” segments feature several named researchers. Among them are Rolex National Geographic Perpetual Planet Explorers:
- Steve Boyes
- Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
- Matt Shirley
- Ingi Agnarsson
Nat Geo and Rolex have collaborated on conservation for more than 70 years. The series finale shifts focus from wildlife to the humans working to protect it.
Who Made It
The series is produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic. For BBC Studios NHU, Simon Blakeney serves as executive producer.
For National Geographic, Pam Caragol is the executive producer. Janet Han Vissering is senior vice president of Production and Development, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president of National Geographic Content.
A First for Television
The black rain frog is a headline draw. The species had never appeared on television before this series.
The hyenas hunting elephants at night in the Congo is rare footage. The wild African black panther is also rare.
The chimpanzees using tools to fish for algae add to the list of never-before-seen behaviors the series promises.
The Bigger Picture
This series is the first chapter of a larger plan. National Geographic intends to document the planet continent by continent.
That plan comes at a time of rapid environmental change. The network frames the series as a record of a world in transition.
The trailer is out now. The series rolls out in order:
- Oct. 2 on National Geographic Channel.
- The next day, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Source: hollywoodreporter.com
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