Nature (TV series)
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| Nature (TV series) | |
|---|---|
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| Show name | Nature |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Company | WGBH |
| Network | PBS |
| Last aired | present |
Nature (TV series) is an American documentary television series produced by WGBH and distributed by Public Broadcasting Service. The series presents wildlife and environmental subjects through long-form episodes that feature field cinematography, scientific contributors, and narrative storytelling. Over decades it has collaborated with institutions, filmmakers, and broadcasters to profile species, ecosystems, and conservation efforts worldwide.
Overview
Nature began as a public television documentary series created by producers at WGBH for PBS to bring wildlife storytelling to American audiences. Episodes typically focus on species such as African elephant, blue whale, polar bear, giant panda, tiger and locations including the Amazon Rainforest, Galápagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Serengeti, and Arctic. The series has featured collaborations with organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic Society, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and research centers at Harvard University, Stanford University, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford. Narration and on-camera contributors have included figures associated with David Attenborough, E. O. Wilson, Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall, and filmmakers tied to David Attenborough's series and productions by BBC Natural History Unit.
Production and Format
Production employs cinematographers, naturalists, and scientists to film on location across continents such as Africa, Asia, South America, Antarctica, and regions including the Himalayas and Sahara Desert. Episodes combine footage shot by teams with archive material from institutions like the British Film Institute and broadcasters including BBC, ZDF, NHK, and CBC. The format varies between single-subject profiles similar to documentaries by Werner Herzog and multi-part investigations akin to series produced by National Geographic. Music scores have been composed by artists connected to Hans Zimmer-adjacent talent and orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and recording venues linked to Abbey Road Studios.
Episodes and Seasons
The series spans numerous seasons, each season comprising episodic installments that may range from one-hour episodes to multi-part specials. Episode topics include life-history portraits, migration studies like those of monarch butterfly and wildebeest, predator–prey dynamics featuring lion and crocodile, and human-wildlife interactions in regions governed historically by events such as the Columbian Exchange or shaped by policies informed by organizations like the United Nations. Contributors often include scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, National Audubon Society, and conservationists linked to Jane Goodall Institute and The Peregrine Fund.
Notable Episodes and Specials
Notable installments have profiled emblematic species and ecosystems: deep-sea explorations parallel to expeditions by Jacques Cousteau, coral reef examinations referencing studies by Sylvia Earle, and primate behavior research in the spirit of Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey. Specials have examined climate change effects with Arctic research related to Project IceBridge and polar studies by British Antarctic Survey, migration events comparable to work by A. R. Wallace, and endangered species recovery resembling programs by Species Survival Commission. The series has also produced thematic specials addressing topics like urban wildlife in cities such as New York City and London and historical environmental cases tied to events like the Dust Bowl.
Reception and Impact
Critics and academics have discussed the series alongside landmark documentaries produced by BBC Natural History Unit, National Geographic, and filmmakers such as Alastair Fothergill and David Attenborough. Reviews in outlets associated with institutions like The New York Times, The Guardian, and periodicals linked to Smithsonian Magazine have evaluated its cinematography, storytelling, and scientific accuracy. The series has influenced conservation awareness promoted by NGOs including World Wildlife Fund and policy discussions involving agencies like the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and international bodies such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
International Broadcast and Distribution
Internationally, episodes have been licensed to broadcasters including BBC, ARD, ZDF, NHK, ABC (Australia), CBC, and streaming platforms connected to Netflix and Apple TV+ partnerships. Distribution partnerships have involved archives like the British Film Institute and co-productions with producers associated with Wildlife Films and series contributors from institutions like RSPB and Australian Museum.
Awards and Recognition
The series has received honors from awards bodies including the Primetime Emmy Award, Peabody Award, Christopher Award, and recognitions from film festivals such as Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and institutions like the Wildscreen Festival. Individual episodes and filmmakers associated with the series have won accolades from organizations including the Royal Television Society and scientific societies that confer awards for public engagement, such as those related to Royal Society outreach and prizes in natural history filmmaking.
Category:American documentary television series Category:PBS original programming