Parenthood in the animal kingdom is a high-stakes game. In a world full of danger, some animal parents go to extreme lengths to ensure the survival of their offspring.
Our new five-part natural history series for BBC One and iPlayer explores the extraordinary strategies and ingenious tricks that animals parents employ to give their young a head start in life. From Orcas teaching their offspring to hunt Blue Whales, to Orangutan showing their young to make their beds, to Hippo families navigating the terrifying African night. Parenthood is an adventure – and our cameras are there to capture every gripping moment.
Just like us, animal parents can be caring, patient, dedicated, short-tempered and foolish. Elephant mothers will dedicate themselves to showing their calves where to find water, Cardinalfish fathers endure housing their fry inside their own mouths, whilst a lion pride adopts the cubs of a recently killed matriarch and raise them to become giant hunters.
Made by Silverback Films, and in association with All3Media International, Parenthood is filmed over three years on six continents, using the latest 8k filming technology. Capturing never-before-seen behaviours, the series reveals the joy and drama of animal parenthood in a rapidly changing world.
Jeff Wilson, Series Producer commented, “Parenthood is a dramatic and emotionally powerful blue-chip wildlife series that has been Silverback’s labour of love for the last 4 years. The series is brimming with engaging character stories and extraordinary behaviours, many of which have never been seen before, filmed in over 60 locations across 6 continents. Yet it already feels much more than a sum of its parts – there is a palpable connection in our stories between the challenges that animal parents face in a changing world and the human experience, and when combined with the cinematic wonder and spectacle Silverback does so well it makes Parenthood a unique and magical experience for our audience.”
Rachel Job, SVP Unscripted Content at All3Media International added, “Silverback Films hold an unrivalled legacy for creating some the most successful natural history series ever made and we are honoured to be taking their new landmark series to global audiences. Across the animal kingdom, Parenthood reveals how species are raising their offspring in an ever-changing world and captures behaviours never seen before on camera. Crafted with Silverback Films’ trademark epic storytelling, breathtaking moments and a universal message about the importance of preserving the natural world, Parenthood is set to deliver awe-inspiring and essential viewing.”
Parenthood (5x 1 hour) for BBC One and iPlayer was commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and it is being produced by multiple BAFTA and Emmy Award winning Silverback Films, and in association with All3Media International. The Series Producer and Director is Jeff Wilson, the Executive Producer is Keith Scholey and the Production Manager is Tara Knowles. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Sreya Biswas, Head of Natural History. All3Media International is global partner for the series, which is available for pre-sale opportunities.