Nat Geo Launches Feature Doc Banner, Orders More Mars

WASHINGTON, D.C.: National Geographic has unveiled the feature documentary banner National Geographic Documentary Films, in addition to announcing a handful of new series coming to its flagship channel.

Previously announced feature documentaries that will be produced under National Geographic Documentary Films include Water & Power: A California Heist, from Emmy Award-winning director Marina Zenovich and Academy Award-winning executive producer Alex Gibney and his production company Jigsaw Productions. Additional titles include Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS, from Sebastian Junger and Nick Quested; LA 92 (working title), produced by double Oscar winner Simon Chinn and his cousin, Emmy Award winner Jonathan Chinn and directed by the Academy Award-winning team Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin; and the Untitled Jane Goodall Project, from Emmy- and Academy Award-nominated executive producer, director and writer Brett Morgen.

“Given our tremendous success with both Before the Flood and He Named Me Malala, we are further cementing our push into the feature documentary space with the launch of National Geographic Documentary Films,” said National Geographic Global Networks CEO Courteney Monroe. “At National Geographic, we believe in the power of storytelling to change the world. National Geographic Documentary Films will showcase important, timely, provocative, globally relevant stories from the very best documentary filmmakers in the business.”

Also announced, National Geographic Channel is developing How to Survive a Plague as a scripted miniseries, with producer Scott Rudin on board. The network has also given a second-season order to its docudrama Mars, which comes from Imagine Entertainment and RadicalMedia.

Also new for the network is the eight-part series Uncensored with Michael Ware, from executive producer Peter Berg. Journalist Michael Ware is best known for his work as a war correspondent, famous for his coverage of the Iraq War. In the series, Ware will investigate some of the most fascinating people, places and cultures in the world. He will travel from the highlands of Papua New Guinea, where women who are thought to be witches are hunted and killed, to the star-studded streets of Los Angeles. Uncensored with Michael Ware premieres on Tuesday, January 24, at 10 p.m. on National Geographic and globally in 171 countries and 45 languages on Sunday, March 19.

“I’ve traveled all over the world trying to understand the lives of so many different individuals, but this project is different than any other I’ve worked on,” said Ware. “It’s a departure from what I’ve done in the past…we all become a part of the voyage, and viewers will be able to experience the crazy ride with me.”

Executive producer Berg commented: “Michael and I bond over our passion for honest storytelling. I admire his bravery as a journalist and his ability to find the humanity in the inhumane. I cannot wait for viewers to embark on this wild and exciting journey with Michael.”