Because the artistic director of BBC Studios’ Pure Historical past Unit, Emmy winner Mike Gunton has captivated audiences with docuseries like Planet Earth II, Prehistoric Planet, and Dynasties, all of which discover the world’s wildlife by means of hundreds of thousands of years. About 5 years in the past, whereas looking for a brand new story, Gunton realized that there had by no means been “a collection about the entire of the Americas,” he says, referring to North, South, and Central.
It’s the one continent to stretch between each poles, and it’s absolutely worthy of the endeavor. “It doesn’t have elephants or gorillas, [but] it has every little thing else in its variety of habitats, together with the most important, longest, oldest, and quickest among the many animals. It’s a wildlife filmmaker’s dream.” The outcome: NBC’s 10-episode The Americas. The huge challenge filmed over 180 expeditions, from the Arctic to South America’s icy southern tip.
BBC Studios
Seems, The Americas was additionally a dream for Tom Hanks, the producer’s solely selection for narrator. The Oscar-winning star noticed one episode with Gunton and rapidly signed on. “Hanks later stated, ‘I used to be born to relate this story,’” relates Gunton, who calls the actor “the voice of America.”
Gunton continues to gush that Hanks “has the right [ability] to speak concerning the present’s essential points”—which embrace the threats of local weather change—“and in addition see the humor, empathy, and humanity in nature.”
With episodes.“The Atlantic Coast,” “Mexico,” “The Wild West,” “The Amazon,” “The Frozen North,” “The Gulf Coast,” “The Andes,” “The Caribbean,” “The West Coast,” and “Patagonia,” the huge expanse of our continent and its inhabitants are on full show. (If that’s nonetheless not sufficient, a behind-the-scenes episode streams on Peacock Monday, April 21.)
Aided by drones, diving cameras, and ingenious jury-rigged tech, The Americas follows varied species close-up, from tiny honeypot ants to the world’s largest-ever animal, the blue whale, documenting the creatures’ lives as they attempt to feed their progeny, search mates and do their greatest to outlive predators.
Among the many battles: An American bald eagle chases an osprey midair to steal its fish, a younger buffalo faces down an growing older herd chief, orca whales gang as much as put a dolphin on the menu, and wolves and polar bears conflict over a single carcass. Viewers may also count on heartwarming household scenes — a not often filmed ocelot bonds along with her playful kittens, and a mama bear escorts her cubs down a harmful rock formation.
The present doesn’t ignore intercourse both. Viewers see never-before-filmed mating rituals as male orchid bees woo females with advanced fragrance choices, younger male manatees observe flirting by rolling round collectively and even sharp-tailed grouse carry out courtship dances underneath automobile headlights.
First on the episode map is the U.S.’s Atlantic coast, the place a 3rd of all Individuals stay. “I needed to indicate that, regardless of the variety of folks, there’s nonetheless fabulous wildlife, if you recognize the place to look,” says the episode’s director, producer Alex Griffiths. “We tried to decide on tales that might resonate with folks. Hopefully, they’ll be cheering for the growing older stallion as he tries to struggle off a usurper and rooting for a younger raccoon as he heads into New York Metropolis on his personal.”
Griffiths additionally notes, “I used to be significantly eager to indicate acquainted wildlife in a brand new gentle.” Do you know that bald eagles, the U.S.’s noble nationwide chook, are completed thieves? They snatch up meals from different animals, together with people, and have even been identified to comply with fishermen’s tugboats for fish.
Life’s greatest mysteries are definitely on show right here. “Making this present made me see [the Americas] in an entire new means,” Griffiths says. “I hope that would be the similar for the viewers.”
The Americas, Collection Premiere, Sunday, February 23, 7/6c, NBC