BBC head of specialist factual Jack Bootle has commissioned three major BBC1 shows to mark David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.
BBC Studios Natural History Unit (NHU) will produce a documentary about the production of the veteran natural history presenter’s groundbreaking series Life on Earth, and a live musical event at the Royal Albert Hall on his birthday on 8 May. Meanwhile, Tiny World indie Plimsoll Productions is producing a five-part series spotlighting the wildlife of Britain’s backyards.
The 60-minute doc Making Life on Earth: Attenborough’s Greatest Adventure will look back at how the first landmark natural history series was produced across three years from 1976. It will go behind-the-scenes, featuring exclusive interviews with Attenborough and members of the original crew about the challenges of filming.
Co-produced with PBS, the executive producer is Mike Davis, the production executive is Sue Aartse-Tuyn and producer director is Victoria Bobin. Diana El-Osta is the executive in charge for PBS. The commissioning editor is former head of natural history Sreya Biswas. BBCS will handle distribution.
The NHU and BBCS Music Productions have come together for the Royal Albert Hall live event David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth, in which the BBC Concert Orchestra will accompany dramatic wildlife stories from his programmes accompanied by words from special guests and environmental advocates.
The executive producers are Alison Howe for BBCS Music and Mike Davis and Jonny Keeling for the NHU. The commissioning editor is Tom Watt-Smith.
The 5 x 60-minute Secret Garden, from ITV Studios label Plimsoll, is a continuation of Attenborough’s recent focus on UK wildlife following the landmark Silverback Films series Wild Isles and Passion Planet’s documentary Wild London.
Set in five gardens across the UK, he will reveal how secretive animals survive on our doorsteps, from pine martens in the Western Highlands to dormice in South Wales.
Co-produced by The Open University and The National Trust in association with Arte France, the series is executive produced by Grant Mansfield, Martha Holmes and Mark Brownlow and the series producer is Bill Markham. The commissioning editor is Tom Watt-Smith. Global distribution will be handled by ITV Studios.
Tributes across the BBC
BBC1 will also air episodes of favourite series in the run up to his birthday, including Planet Earth II, Blue Planet II, Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, Wild London and Seven Worlds, One Planet.
A dedicated iPlayer collection will showcase more than 40 of his series, including Zoo Quest, Kingdom, Parenthood, and Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster.
Bootle said: “It’s impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us. His programmes have not only defined science and natural history broadcasting, but they have also changed how we see our planet and our place within it.
“This special week is a celebration of an extraordinary milestone, and of a body of work that continues to inspire awe, curiosity and care for the natural world. It’s also a moment for all of us at the BBC to say thank you to David — for his generosity, for his brilliance, and for a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes.”