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New one BBC Documentary, narrated by Respected Sir david attenboroughAccording to an executive producer, it is being called “almost Shakespearean” due to its dramatic scope and rich storytelling.
A six-part wildlife series, titled EmpireExplores the lives of four distinct animal families – a lion pride, a wild dog pack, a hyena clan, and a leopard family – as they wage a fierce struggle for survival and dominance.
Set over five years in Nsefu, a remote corner of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, the series promises to be an in-depth look at the animal kingdom.
Mike Gunton, creative director of the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, described the production as having an “intensity that defines it”. Gunton said, “It’s almost Shakespearean in its feel, and it’s incredibly ambitious in its scale,” highlighting the series’ focus on “four families in one place, all struggling to survive”.
He elaborated on the complex dynamics: “They have their own internal conflicts, but they also have to contend with other rival families. And that makes for a very interesting tapestry of rich stories.”
Gunton compared the high drama to a mixture of popular human ballads, saying, “It has a little game of Thronesthere’s a little bit of it inheritancebut there’s also a little bit of The lion king.,
Despite the raw competition, he assured the audience of “wonderful warmth” and moments of “beauty and tenderness” amid the “white-knuckle ride”.
The production team committed to filming in one location for an unprecedented five years continuously, a decision Gunton believes “absolutely paid off.”
This long-term approach allowed the creation of a “bilingual continuous narrative”. Importantly, the BBC worked closely with local scientists and conservationists in Nassefu, many of whom have generational knowledge of the area’s wildlife. This expertise provided a “huge advantage in figuring out what was going on between these four families”, including their complex “family genealogy”.
Sir David Attenborough, aged 99, lends his iconic voice to guide viewers through the unfolding drama.
Gunton emphasized the naturalist’s unique ability to “guide you through it (the series) and reassure you that everything will be okay in the end”.
Attenborough remained on television for more than seven decades, with programs such as planet earth And blue PlanetRecently made headlines by becoming the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy. He won the award for Outstanding Nonfiction, Daytime Personality for his role as host of Netflix’s The Secret Life of the OrangutanSurpassed Dick Van Dyke’s record.
Gunton reflected on Attenborough’s comforting presence: “There will be some ups and downs, but the journey is worthwhile. I think it’s just him holding your hand and saying, ‘It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but stick with it, it’s going to be wonderful.'”
He said that Attenborough’s description brings a sense of “security” to the “raw and crude” yet “grand and beautiful” landscape of Nesfu.
This ambitious project involved a team of over 170 people, including over 90 local Zambian crew members and wildlife experts.
To capture the subtle behavior of animal families, the crew deployed a sophisticated array of technology, including long lens camera systems, camera traps, drones, thermal imaging cameras, car rigs, helicopter rigs, and infra-red-light cameras.
The series promises immediate drama, with the first episode featuring leopard mother Olimba as she raises her two cubs. Tension increases when his young son goes missing following the appearance of dangerous lions.
Empire It is set to premiere on Sunday, November 9 at 6.20pm on BBC One, with all episodes available simultaneously on BBC iPlayer.