ITV announces Extreme Planet Earth documenting impact of climate emergency on wildlife

Over a span of three years, this upcoming documentary series has been developed by Plimsoll Productions, renowned for their pioneering work in natural history cinematography, as demonstrated by their projects such as “A Year on Planet Earth” and “A Real Bug’s Life”.

The six-episode series invites viewers to embark on a captivating exploration, delving into various aspects of our planet’s climate in each installment.

According to the summary, “Extreme Planet Earth” showcases extraordinary wildlife footage from around the globe, battling extreme conditions: elephants in Borneo maneuvering through hazardous floods; wombats in Australia surviving amidst encircling wildfires; a leopard in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi striving against severe drought; Caribbean flamingos in Mexico confronting the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded; and clownfish on the Great Barrier Reef attempting to endure a marine heatwave.

Despite challenging circumstances, animals demonstrate an incredible amount of determination. However, determination alone has its limits. In the planet’s most extreme conditions, conservationists and researchers are actively intervening to safeguard species through innovative projects. These endeavors, taking place in some of Earth’s most unstable landscapes, will play a crucial role in the ongoing narrative.

The show is planned to engage all your senses, offering top-notch visuals along with its compelling narratives and themes.

Upon unveiling the series, Mark Brownlow, the Creative Director of Natural History at Plimsoll Productions, stated: “Regardless of where you reside on Earth, you can empathize with extreme weather conditions.

On our planet, from the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles to flooding events in Europe, extreme weather conditions have become a regular headline and impact us greatly. In ‘Extreme Planet Earth’, we will reveal how various wildlife species bravely confront these difficulties, demonstrating incredible strength, adaptability, and perseverance. Their tenacity serves as an inspiring reminder of resilience.

Jo Clinton-Davis, Factual ITV’s Controller, also remarked: “This series stands out by showing how extreme weather impacts wildlife. With stunning visuals, compelling narratives, and a humanized approach to animals, Plimsoll promises to make the struggle of the animal kingdom dealing with an issue we all face, come alive.

Currently, there isn’t a specific date set for the airing of Extreme Planet Earth, but it’s expected to make its debut on television screens somewhere in the year 2026.