BBC Factual today announce three brand new series from BBC Studios Natural History Unit for BBC One, BBC Two and iPlayer. From the big cats to the great apes, Mammals are the most widespread group of animals on Earth; Big Little Journeys, following the real-life adventures of six tiny animals as they voyage into the unknown; and Wild Scandinavia, celebrating the stunning wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and unique culture of the furthest northern reaches of Europe

Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, says: “2022 was a brilliant year for Natural History on the BBC: Frozen Planet II became the highest rating factual show of the year, the daringly innovative Green Planet won a series of major awards, and Our Changing Planet spoke to millions of viewers about the impacts of climate change across the globe. Now, with Mammals, Big Little Journeys and Wild Scandinavia, the world-famous Natural History Unit continues to push at the boundaries of what's possible in wildlife filmmaking. The arrival of game-changing technology combined with exciting new storytelling techniques means this genre has never felt more confident, creative and ambitious. I’m proud that the BBC continues to be the home of Natural History, and I know viewers are going to fall in love with these series as soon as they see them.”

Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, says: “We are thrilled to be bringing three original series to BBC television, in collaboration with our co-production partners. With compelling new stories and new behaviours in Mammals, fresh and different perspectives of the tiniest animals in Big Little Journeys, and spectacular landscapes in Wild Scandinavia - collectively they showcase the creative range of emotional and innovative natural history programmes we are proud to be making at the NHU.”

Mammals

Mammals are found on every continent and in every ocean, from the coldest wildernesses to the hottest deserts, from the densest jungles to the darkest depths, this group of animals has evolved to master almost every habitat on our planet.

Full of new, never-before-seen behaviours, this definitive series for BBC One and iPlayer offers fascinating insights into the most successful animal group in the world. From the tiny Etruscan shrew to the giant blue whale, Mammals will reveal the secrets of their success, and how their winning design, incredible adaptability, unrivalled intelligence and unique sociability have all contributed to their remarkable rise.

Just 4% of today’s mammals are wild animals and many species face extinction. As well as giving BBC viewers an exciting new perspective on a remarkable group of animals, the series will also highlight many of the problems faced by mammals in today’s rapidly changing world.

Mammals, a 6 x 60’ series for BBC One and iPlayer, is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by France Televisions, ZDF and BBC America. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and Sreya Biswas, Head of Natural History, BBC Commissioning. The Executive Producer is Roger Webb and the Series Producer is Scott Alexander.

Big Little Journeys

Big Little Journeys is a new three-part series for BBC Two and iPlayer following six tiny animals as they travel across rainforests, mountains and wetlands.

The cast of animals includes a family of endangered golden-headed lion tamarins in Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, the peculiar Madagascan Labord’s chameleon with an extremely short life span of only six months, and in Taiwan, the rare Formosan pangolin – the world’s most trafficked animal. Against the odds, these animals overcome huge obstacles, giant predators, and natural disasters in their quest for food, family and survival.

Working with scientists and conservationists around the world, Big Little Journeys captures the dramatic adventures faced by these tiny but mighty creatures. The series uses immersive camera systems, surveillance technology, and probe and borescope lenses that shrink the lens down to give a small animal’s view of the world, enabling the little heroes to be filmed in the same style as big animals as they embark upon their journeys in the wild.

Big Little Journeys, a 3 x 60’ series for BBC Two and iPlayer, is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS. It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Rosemary Edwards and the Series Producer is Paul Williams. The Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas.

Wild Scandinavia

Wild Scandinavia is a new three-part series for BBC Two and iPlayer.

This brand-new series will immerse viewers in the realm of Norse Gods, of Odin and Thor. Each film explores a different captivating natural world - the hauntingly beautiful coast, the magical seasonal forests, and the volcanic and arctic extremes.

Narrated by Anglo-Swedish actor Rebecca Ferguson (Dune; Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation), surprising wildlife stories of lynx, puffins, orca and wolves, are told alongside the experiences of the extraordinary people living in and devoted to exploring this icy wilderness.

Breath-taking imagery reveals stories of survival, from the epic Norwegian Arctic, through mythic Swedish and Finnish forests, across vast Danish tidal shores and around erupting Icelandic volcanoes.

Wild Scandinavia, a 3 x 60’ series for BBC Two and iPlayer, is made by BBC Studios Natural History Unit and co-produced by PBS and Sveriges Television (SVT). It was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual. The Executive Producer is Rosemary Edwards and the Series Producer and Director is Tuppence Stone. The Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas. Diana El-Osta is the executive in charge for PBS. Mikael Osterby, Head of Factual, is the executive in charge for SVT.

BBCS is handling international distribution and will present Mammals, Big Little Journeys and Wild Scandinavia to international customers at BBC Studios Showcase taking place on 27 and 28 February 2023.