7 reasons to watch Tom Hiddleston’s new documentary series Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age

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Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age introduces viewers to incredible creatures never before depicted on screen, including lion-like marsupials (similar to carnivorous koalas), enormous kangaroos that were too large to hop, and tiny dwarf elephants standing just three feet tall.

The Apple TV series, a massive undertaking, was narrated by Tom Hiddleston and executive produced by Jon Favreau, the Hollywood film-maker. Mike Gunton, creative director of the BBC’s Natural History Unit and a frequent collaborator with David Attenborough, also served as an executive producer.

Creating the film took three years and involved filming in 15 different countries. A key innovation was the use of technical reference puppets – the idea came to Gunton after seeing a puppet of a baby stegodon. These puppets were filmed on location and served as crucial visual guides for the company Framestore, which created the film’s CGI animals.

Dr. Darren Naish, the show’s paleontological consultant since its beginning in 2022, was responsible for ensuring the scientific accuracy of the program. He describes how he worked to realistically portray the unique animals that lived during the Ice Age.

The man for the job

I specialize in the dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous period – the focus of seasons one and two of Prehistoric Planet. I’ve also done extensive research on Ice Age animals, making me a knowledgeable resource for season three. Plus, I give the team at Framestore precise details to help them create realistic digital animal models.

Sketch to screen

We collaborated with over 50 experts in the Ice Age to create detailed resource packs about the animals of that time. These packs include up to 30 pages of illustrations, diagrams, and information. I personally create a lot of the artwork, and we also work with talented concept and paleo artists who specialize in recreating prehistoric life.

Facts from the fossil

Our understanding of these animals comes from scientific evidence. We study fossils – including preserved remains found in permafrost – and footprints to figure out how they moved and how fast. Because humans lived during the Ice Age as well, we can also learn from the drawings they left behind on cave walls and rocks.

Scientific storylines

Science helps us understand what’s true. Since woolly mammoths were a type of elephant, they likely shared many characteristics with modern elephants. Animals often face incredible challenges, and it’s reasonable to imagine scenarios like a woolly mammoth being caught in a blizzard while in labor – it probably happened at some point, making it a believable story.

A lion that’s not a lion

Thylacoleo, often called the marsupial lion, was a predator about the size of a leopard. Though related to animals like koalas and wombats, it was truly unique. It possessed a large, powerful thumb with a massive claw, and instead of fangs, it had enormous incisor teeth. Its head was remarkably broad and muscular. Creating a realistic depiction of this animal took many attempts—early versions actually resembled a strange teddy bear! Fortunately, Indigenous Australian rock art provides clues about its coloring and appearance.

Prehistoric peeves

Answering the unknown

Working with some of these animals was incredibly difficult, as we were dealing with creatures nobody fully understood. We often had to find answers to questions no one had even thought to ask before. For instance, when someone wonders how an extinct Jefferson’s ground sloth moved, we’ll have the most accurate answer. Although the research we do for the show – and the visual effects work – isn’t typically published in scientific journals, it absolutely represents real scientific investigation.

You can watch all episodes of Prehistoric Planet on Apple TV. Click here to learn how to subscribe.

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2025-11-28 20:04